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El Mirage council awards up-to-$735,999 contract to Core Construction for city court renovations
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Summary
Council approved an award to Core Construction to complete capital improvements at El Mirage City Court — addressing security, ADA accessibility and operational needs — with an amount not to exceed $735,999 and a projected three-month construction window.
The El Mirage Common Council on April 7 approved awarding capital improvement project CIP 62009 for renovations to the El Mirage City Court to Core Construction in an amount not to exceed $735,999.
Court Administrator Christina Fuentes told council the building — used as the city court since 2016 — needs security and accessibility upgrades mandated by the Administrative Office of the Courts and other operational improvements. Fuentes said the project will add a second staff-only entry, ADA-compliant door openers at primary public locations, a private room for protective-order petitioners, an insulated witness room to support witness exclusion, a secure money-counting room, and a dedicated space for remote in-custody proceedings.
Public Works representative Nick Russo said procurement included outreach to four vendors and three responsive quotes; Core Construction submitted the lowest responsive bid (approximately $685,000) and pricing will be secured through a cooperative contract. The project budget includes contingency for unforeseen conditions and furniture; Fuentes said a lobby expansion remains unfunded within the current CIP.
Council members raised operational questions: where hearings and court services will be located during construction, whether the project duration could be shortened, and whether a work session would be appropriate for additional detail. Fuentes said staff are exploring temporary locations (including use of the senior center) and remote hearing options and that the contractor would be asked to minimize disruptions. The presentation said the estimated construction duration is approximately three months, with a tentative start this fall.
Council approved the contract by motion. Council discussion emphasized the project is intended to meet mandatory court standards for safety, privacy and accessibility; the motion authorized the Finance Department to make necessary budget transfers.
The court renovation will proceed with further operational planning to be coordinated by court administration and public works; the council did not schedule a separate work session before approval but acknowledged members might request additional detail during implementation.
