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Commission approves $1.46 million renovation; Danto Builders awarded fire-station repurpose contract
Summary
The commission awarded Danto Builders LLC a $1,456,088.94 contract (plus a 10% contingency) to repurpose the old fire station for building department administrative space after a multi-member discussion of alternatives and contingencies; vote passed 4-1.
City administration recommended repurposing the old fire station to expand building-department space and presented the RFP review and selection committee—s recommendation to award the contract to Danto Builders LLC for $1,456,088.94, with a proposed 10% contingency of $145,608.89 to cover unforeseen work.
Architect and consultant Bill Gallo described site constraints and higher costs associated with new construction on the small quarter-acre parcel: "A new building today, I would guess, would be somewhere between 3.75 and $5,000,000 depending on how you outfitted that building," he said, arguing renovation is a more cost-effective near-term solution. Commissioners questioned contingency levels, schedule length and whether an alternate site (the vacant lot near Dickson Hall) should be used; some favored a master plan before further construction. After debate the commission passed Resolution 2025-2662 awarding the bid to Danto Builders by a 4-1 vote.
City administration said the project will be fully funded from building-department restricted funds and that administration will discuss schedule and potential contract clauses (including escalation/change-order provisions) with the contractor. The commission requested follow-up on the timeline and contract provisions before final execution.
