Carbondale council approves $7,500 preliminary report to study police station at 332 Main St.

The Carbondale City Council on Oct. 20 approved BG Consultants to prepare a preliminary architectural report for a potential police station at 332 Main Street (the former Casey’s), authorizing the work at a cost not to exceed $7,500.

BG Consultants representative Grant Urban told the council the deliverable would be a 12-week preliminary report that includes field documentation, floor plans and elevations, and two opinions of cost to support grant or loan applications. “The council was given a proposal to prepare what we call a preliminary architectural report,” Urban said, describing the work as the first phase that documents existing conditions and produces the conceptual materials funding agencies require.

Council member Ronald Moeller moved to approve the proposal; Kevin Seals seconded and the motion carried. Council discussion clarified that BG Consultants will prepare the sealed design documentation but will not prepare grant applications. Urban said a grant writer or firm identified in the presentation — referred to in the record as GAS — would use the architectural report and cost opinions to complete financing applications to agencies such as USDA and CDBG. Urban added the grant writer could potentially seek reimbursement for the $7,500 from future grant awards.

The report is intended to position the city to pursue funding and to inform next design phases; it does not authorize construction or bidding. The council noted that Phase 1 funding for the report is in place; a timetable beyond the 12-week report period was not specified.