Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Projects Fire topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fire Station 24 design runs over estimate; council presses for faster timeline and monthly reporting
Summary
Project managers told council that Station 24's 60% design increased cost estimates and schedule; Colliers and the design-build team are seeking value-engineering options, and council directed staff to provide written acceleration plans and to advance the GMP presentation date.
Tampa Fire Rescue and the project managers updated City Council on progress for Fire Station 24, reporting that the 60% design deliverable showed higher-than-anticipated construction estimates per square foot and a longer draft schedule. Ken Gayet of Colliers Project Leaders said the design-builder and oversight team are working to reduce cost and compress schedule through design alternatives and construction methods such as tilt-wall panels.
Fire Chief Barbara Tripp and project staff told council the training tower remains in the project as a deduct alternate; solar is not included though the building will be "solar ready." Councilmembers pressed staff on undergrounding power lines (TECO), traffic signals, public outreach, and options to accelerate permit and GMP procurement. Staff said the budget currently includes line burial and that TECO meetings are scheduled.
Councilwoman Hertek moved and council approved requests for a written report by Feb. 19 detailing options to accelerate completion by at least one month and to move the GMP presentation to July 16, 2026. Several councilmembers expressed frustration over a three-year lag between funding approval and projected ground-breaking and urged steps to speed delivery.
