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Council approves first reading to redesign safety service complex, seeks smaller footprint and lower cost
Summary
City leaders approved a first reading to revise design work for the new safety service complex, directing the architect to produce right-sized drawings intended to lower the previously discussed $12 million estimate; officials said redesign work will take about 14–16 weeks.
The Cortland City Council on April 20 approved a first reading (O-15-26) authorizing a scope change with DS Architecture LLC to redesign the city’s planned safety service complex so the project fits the city’s budget.
Jim and the mayor described the change as a right-sizing effort intended to reduce the previously discussed $12 million footprint to an amount the city can afford. “We are downsizing the amount of space,” Jim said, adding that revised drawings are necessary for the architect to provide an updated guaranteed maximum price.
Officials said the redesign will involve civil and architectural work and could take roughly 14 to 16 weeks once the architect begins. The mayor said there is grant funding and fire-department budget dollars tied to the project and the city is exploring loans if necessary; officials emphasized they will not proceed with construction that exceeds the new budget target.
Council members described a multi-committee review process — safety services, finance and the technical review committee — that vetted the project before bringing the redesign to Council. Staff said soil samples have already been collected and that the city would own the design documents, which would allow the city to alter delivery methods later if the guaranteed maximum price is unaffordable.
The first reading clears the way for final design work; council did not adopt the ordinance at this meeting and no construction contract was awarded. The mayor and staff said they will return with revised drawings and a proposed GMP (guaranteed maximum price) for council consideration once the redesign is complete.
