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Architects propose consolidated DPW with drive‑through wash bay; conceptual cost about $9M
Summary
Lavalley Bensinger Architects presented a conceptual Department of Public Works plan that would consolidate scattered office space, add garage/workshop bays and a drive‑through wash bay to improve circulation for plow trucks; architects gave a conceptual project cost of approximately $9 million including demolition and soft costs.
At the workshop, architects presented a conceptual plan for the Town of Wells Department of Public Works that would consolidate administrative offices, add back‑to‑back garage bays and provide a drive‑through wash bay to better accommodate large plow trucks.
"To maintain it as it is is $8,852,000," John Adams said when summarizing the DPW deferred maintenance estimate, adding that a majority of that figure reflects mechanical equipment in the wash bay. The architects said the existing DPW is roughly 18–19,000 square feet and the program need is just under 32,000 square feet.
The conceptual plan places garage bays on the right, an administration and support area to the left, and a large multipurpose room that can serve as break space, training or temporary resting area during extended plow shifts. Architects emphasized circulation design to ensure turning radii for large vehicles and said the preferred structure could be a pre‑engineered steel building to manage cost and construction time.
The estimator and architects presented a conceptual total project cost of approximately $9,000,000, which includes demolition of the existing building, building construction and a contingency and soft costs. They noted the budget assumes a pre‑engineered facility in its cost basis and is benchmarked to Q3 2026.
Board members and staff discussed capital budgeting implications; architects said the DPW plan is aimed at operational efficiency and would be considered alongside other capital priorities in upcoming budgeting decisions.
