Avon council awards $175,000 schematic-design contract to Tecton for fire facilities project

The Avon Town Council voted on Jan. 4 to hire Tecton Architects of Hartford to complete Phase I schematic design for renovation, expansion and potential new construction of Avon fire facilities.

Jim Speich, chair of the Renovation, Expansion & New Construction of Fire Facilities Building Committee, told the council the committee issued an RFQ, interviewed four top firms and unanimously recommended Tecton based on experience, proposed pricing and the firm’s track record with fire stations. "Based upon their qualifications, the pricing and the unanimous support of the Building Committee for this firm, we ask the Town Council to award the contract to Tecton Architects," Speich said.

The contract award is for a base fee of $175,000 for Phase I schematic design, to be paid from an existing capital account balance of roughly $300,000. Speich said optional additional engineering investigations may be required as the project proceeds and would be covered from the same capital account if chosen.

Councilor Weber, who served on the Building Committee, said Tecton "stood out" for its experience building fire stations and for its ability to represent the project to the public. Chairman Dan Polhamus thanked the committee and councilors for their work on the selection process.

The motion to award the contract passed unanimously: Councilors Ausiello, Barthel, Bratton, Weber and Chairman Polhamus voted in favor.

What happens next: Tecton will complete schematic design and perform "test fits" to confirm footprints and options; the council and building committee indicated they will involve residents at key milestones and may pursue additional investigations or optional work as needed.