Dearborn Heights council authorizes AIA contract to move new fire station into preconstruction

The Dearborn Heights City Council voted Feb. 17 to authorize an AIA contract (A141 PDB‑2024) with Partners in Architecture and construction partner Frank Rewald and Sons to advance a new fire station to preconstruction. Council members voted to allow the mayor and clerk to execute the contract following legal review. The motion was moved by Councilman Saab and seconded by Councilwoman Bridal; the chair announced the motion carried.

Deputy Fire Chief Phil Hall urged support, saying the project has been guided by three priorities: "Number 1, stay within budget by fully utilizing grant funds and keeping the project at 0 cost to our taxpayers. Number 2, provide a safe and healthy facility for our firefighters to live and serve this community. Number 3, construct a durable building that will serve our city for decades without becoming a financial burden." Hall asked the council for a yes vote to keep the process on schedule.

State Rep. Erin Burns addressed the meeting during public comment, encouraging the council to keep momentum on the project and to spend the grant funding: "We have until the September to utilize these funds," Burns said, noting the city had been allocated $10,000,000 for the station.

Council members questioned partners about site work and schedule. Robert Sanford, design director for Partners in Architecture, and Mike Gonyeau of Frank Rewald and Sons said some due‑diligence borings exist but building‑specific geotechnical borings and other preconstruction studies would be done as part of the next phase. Gonyeau said preconstruction work would begin immediately and that the team anticipated starting construction—"shovel in the ground"—in September if the schedule holds.

The contract packet presented to council identifies Partners in Architecture as the design partner and Frank Rewald and Sons as the construction partner; staff said the selection followed legal review and rounds of due diligence and site visits. Deputy Chief Hall and staff emphasized the effort to use grant funds so the project does not increase taxpayer burden.

Next steps: staff will proceed with preconstruction activities, complete required geotechnical testing and design refinements, and return any required legal or administrative documentation to the council. The motion as approved requires execution by the mayor and clerk and includes a legal review by the city attorney before final signature.