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Council accepts $14.08 million bid for new fire station amid staffing concerns
Summary
The Merrillville Town Council voted to accept Core Construction'9s low bid of $14,084,156 for Fire Station 73 and approved related resolution 2610; public commenters and some council members pressed questions about how the town will staff the new facility and sustain payroll after initial grant-funded hires.
The Town of Merrillville council on April 7 accepted Core Construction'9s aggregate low bid of $14,084,156 to build Fire Station 73 and approved Resolution 2610 authorizing the award.
At a public-comment period before the vote, resident Charles Poynter asked why the town was approving a multimillion-dollar station when staffing was already short. Quoting the fire chief, Poynter said, "I have 14 full-timers. I need 36 minimum and 48 when we staff the fourth station." He asked how the town planned to recruit and sustain pay for additional firefighters once three-year grant funding he referenced expired.
A representative involved in procurement told the council that bids opened Feb. 25 came in roughly $1 million under budget and that all successful bidders complied with the town'9s project labor agreement. "We successfully came in under budget $1 million," the representative said, and staff projected breaking ground by May 15 with a ribbon-cutting to follow.
Council discussion noted that the $14 million award is being paid from a $33 million bond issue tied to TIF allocation areas (Mississippi Street, Merrillville Road, Ameriplex) and other local revenues; council members said the bond proceeds, not the general tax base, are intended to fund the project. One councilor also urged caution, citing projected state funding reductions that could reduce town revenues in coming years and arguing the town should prioritize hiring firefighters before advancing construction.
The resolution authorizing the award passed by recorded voice vote after discussion. Council members also noted $660,000 in land donated for the site by private parties as part of the project financing.
Next steps: the town will proceed with contract finalization and anticipated construction mobilization; officials said they expect additional briefings on staffing plans and grant applications to fund initial hire costs.
