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Belgrade says HEC remodel on tight budget after asbestos abatement doubles estimate
Summary
City staff told council an asbestos abatement estimate for the HEC remodel rose to about $300,000 (from roughly $110,000), pushing the project budget to $1.85 million; staff expects a guaranteed maximum price in the next two weeks and is monitoring potential funding options including newly taxable values or general fund balance.
City staff briefed the council on the police-and-courts (HEC) remodel and related City Hall moves, saying asbestos abatement and other add-ons have tightened the project budget and that a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) is due within weeks.
Staff said asbestos abatement came back “just under just under $300,000” — far above an earlier estimate of roughly $110,000 — and that the HEC remodel total now sits at about $1.85 million after a recent $250,000 transfer to the project. The general-contractor team (Hasselton, Haddonbury, Eddy, with Hasselton leading) has completed construction documents and moved to the bid phase, and staff said they “should receive a GMP... within the next 2 weeks.”
Staff flagged specific budget concerns that may not fit the base scope, including access control for the building and HVAC work to provide non-window-unit air conditioning in courtroom areas. They described how small unanticipated add-ons can accumulate: “10,000 here, 10,000 there… next thing you know… you're at a $100,000 of add ons.”
On funding options, staff said one possibility is diverting newly taxable value to the project when certified values are received, or using unrestricted fund balance as a less-preferred alternative. Staff also reiterated a prior promise not to ask voters for a bond to support the project for at least five years.
Staff reported one cost-saving for related infrastructure: a planned project to bury fiber was originally budgeted at about $160,000 (split 50/50 with the school district) but changes in the termination point and use of existing private fiber reduced the bill to roughly $90,000.
Next steps: staff will review the GMP when it arrives, continue to track add-ons, and return to council with tighter numbers and funding recommendations.
