Fire Station 2 estimate at $10.47 million; city outlines bidding, contingency plans
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Officials heard a design‑development estimate of $10,470,000 for the Fire Station 2 replacement—roughly $470,000 over the stated $10 million budget—and were told a four‑part strategy (bidding alternates, bidder outreach, confirming soft costs, avoiding late scope additions) would be used to manage the gap.
City officials on Tuesday received an updated design‑development cost estimate for Fire Station 2 that puts the project at $10,470,000, a figure the presentation described as roughly $450,000–$470,000 above the city’s stated $10 million budget. Fire Chief Fulbrecht introduced Max of Kraus Anderson, the council’s construction manager, who described the estimate and the team’s approach to limit the risk of going over budget.
Kraus Anderson said the increase stems primarily from more detailed mechanical-system work identified at the design‑development phase. "We have an updated estimate value of $10,470,000. That's about 450,000 above the stated budget," the presenter said, and added that the change represents a natural refinement as drawings and specifications are developed.
The design team outlined four strategies to manage cost risk: using bidding alternates (for example, bidding both reinforced-concrete and heavy-duty bituminous paving for drive entrances), maximizing bidder participation by timing the bid in February, confirming owner‑direct soft costs (furniture, fixtures and equipment, technology and the $200,000 solar allowance), and avoiding late-stage scope additions. The estimate includes a project contingency of nearly $500,000, the team said, and excludes sales tax to reflect the city's tax-exempt status. Geothermal systems were dropped after staff determined they were infeasible for this project.
Councilors pressed for details about on-site oversight and responsibility for change orders. Kraus Anderson confirmed a full‑time on-site superintendent will oversee construction and described the approval path for proposed changes: superintendent → project manager → design team → fire chief → city (for significant changes). On the budget gap, the mayor said the city would bond the shortfall if necessary.
The team reported the project remains close to schedule: bids planned in February, bids returned in late February, contracting through March and construction beginning in spring when weather allows (the presentation projected an operational facility in June 2027, following roughly 12 months of heavy construction). The council did not take a vote on the presentation; members said they expect further contract approvals and committee review as work scopes are bid.
Next steps: staff and the construction manager will finalize bid documents and proceed to advertising in roughly one month, with contracts returning to council or committee for approval as required.