Hampshire board approves $14 million public works garage contract after presentation of bids and site plan

Trustees approved a final contract this evening to build a new Village of Hampshire public works facility after receiving an update on design, site planning and competitive bidding.

The village’s design-builder and architect presented an unchanged schematic that locates the one‑story administrative core and a larger, pull‑through fleet garage on the western portion of the village‑owned parcel, with on‑site parking for more than 26 vehicles, two handicapped stalls and service access off Towneplace Road. "This plan has not changed whatsoever from the initial concept that we presented to you previously," said Chris Hansen, the project architect with LAMP Inc.

Tom McGrath, vice president with the design team, told trustees the procurement produced about 140 subcontractor bids across roughly 22 trade packages. "The trade contractor cost … totaled that $11,200,000," McGrath said, and he added the all‑in project estimate — design fees, owner reimbursables and a construction contingency of about 5 percent — is "just over $14,000,000." The bid package also includes allowances such as a $250,000 soil remediation allowance based on soils borings that identified pockets of peat requiring undercut and fill.

Trustees questioned earlier payments to the design‑builder and whether a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) had been set; staff said the team will deliver a GMP by April 1. The board discussed financing timing and noted the village’s sales‑tax revenue is expected to cover projected debt service. After debate about whether to delay the vote to review the contract package and financing details, the board moved to approve the contract; the roll call recorded a majority in favor with one member abstaining.

The contract vote was accompanied by several related approvals: the board authorized a $27,218.52 equipment purchase for highway shoulder work and accepted engineering and joint‑funding agreements linked to other street projects. Trustees and staff set a tentative public‑works groundbreaking for early April, with 11:00 a.m. cited as the likely start time.

The project schedule presented aims to begin site work this spring pending permits and reach substantial completion in early January next year, though presenters cautioned the permit process and soil remediation could affect dates. The village will receive a finalized GMP and additional contract details at a future meeting before construction invoices accelerate; trustees asked staff to circulate any missing contract exhibits to the board for review.