Architect presents concept to convert older municipal building section for police use; council asks about costs and safety systems

Fox Architectural Design presented a concept to repurpose an older section of the Byram municipal building for a police department during the Sept. 17 council meeting. The firm described staff qualifications and experience on similar municipal projects.

Mr. Fox said his lead employee has 36 years of municipal experience and highlighted recent policing facility work. When Mayor Rubenstein asked about cost and the team's qualifications, Mr. Fox noted the Jefferson Police Department project as a recent job and said he is currently working on a project in Wharton. Councilman Roseff asked whether the rehab would require electrical work and how fire-suppression responsibilities would be handled; Mr. Fox described using a design-build approach in which the bidder would include sprinkler and alarm designs.

Councilman Proctor questioned a line item labeled "Services After completion of Construction Documents," and Mr. Fox clarified that it did not apply to the current proposal. The mayor suggested entering a Professional Services Agreement that could cover the police project and other upcoming projects such as DPW breakroom renovations. Mr. Fox acknowledged that a more accurate construction-cost estimate could be provided soon, but said he could not answer that detail immediately.

No binding contract was approved at the meeting; council members agreed to pursue a professional-services arrangement and asked staff to obtain clearer cost estimates and scope details before authorizing construction or long-lead purchases.