Bettendorf committee sets public hearing, requests bids for Spruce Hills Fire Station remodel

Fire Chief Troy Saeed told the Bettendorf City committee the Spruce Hills Fire Station is more than 30 years old and staff are seeking a public hearing and bids for an interior remodel. "It's just resolution setting a date for a public hearing requesting bids for the remodel at Spruce Hills Fire Station," Saeed said, describing work limited to floor coverings, painting, ceiling tiles, cabinets, lockers, lighting upgrades and windows.

Saeed emphasized the city will not close the station during construction, saying, "We're not gonna close the fire station during construction. We're gonna keep that open as you never wanna close the fire station because it extends response times." He told the committee the project is included in the FY25-26 Capital Improvement Plan and thanked Public Works staff for their assistance.

Saeed provided a procurement timeline: staff expect bids to close December 16, will return to the committee to award a contract, plan to start mid-January and hope to finish by June, and intend to phase work (second level first, then first level) so firefighters remain on duty throughout construction.

The committee's chair moved to keep the resolution on tomorrow night's consent agenda as item D; the motion was seconded and approved by voice. The transcript contains no roll-call tallies for this motion; staff will solicit bids and return with a contract award recommendation when the bidding process concludes.

Why it matters: the remodel aims to update aging interior facilities to improve working conditions and maintain operational readiness without interrupting emergency response.

Next steps: staff will request bids (closing Dec. 16), hold a public hearing as set by the forthcoming resolution, and return a contract award recommendation to the committee.