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City reports progress on Municipal Commons, Justice Center renovation and three fire stations
Summary
Project Advocates updated council: Municipal Commons is nearing substantial completion, Justice Center phase 1 IUC renovation is on track and Fire Station 8 (with training/storage) has a $21.4M budget and mobilization underway; stations 5 and 11 are in design with anticipated construction timelines.
Danny Jonas and Jennifer Gerlach of Project Advocates delivered a consolidated construction update to the council, covering multiple municipal projects.
Municipal Commons: Jonas said levels 2–4 are substantially complete and Level 1 is tracking to substantial completion the following week; customer service moves and kiosks will be operational as departments transition.
Justice Center: The Justice Center phase 1 renovation of the Independence Utility Center is in progress and expected to reach substantial completion in the month following the meeting, with police occupancy targeted in March 2026. Phase 2 of the campus remains paused while staff revisit phasing and budgets.
Fire stations: Gerlach said the combined Fire Station 8 and Training & Storage project carries a $21.4 million overall budget; GMP 1 (long lead items) has been completed and GMP 2 (balance) is expected before the council next week. Construction mobilization has begun and an approximately 13–14 month schedule was cited. Station 5 design development is complete and Station 11 schematic design is scheduled to begin in April, with construction start dates staggered in 2027–2028.
Funding and timing City staff said the Municipal Commons was funded through a 20-year lease-purchase and the Justice Center renovation and three fire stations are funded via a recent $50 million revenue bond issuance ($5M for the IUC renovation and $45M for fire stations), to be repaid from designated sales-tax funds.
Next steps Staff will return with GMP 2 for Fire Station 8 and continued schedule updates for Stations 5 and 11; the council was asked to approve resolutions reappointing or appointing members to multiple boards at the next regular meeting.
