Manhattan Fire District Re-evaluating New Station Plans After Bids Come in Over Budget

Article Summary:

Construction bids for a new Manhattan Fire Protection District station have come in over the district’s maximum price, forcing officials to re-evaluate the project’s scope. Chief Steve Malone informed the Board of Trustees that the district is now working with its construction manager to identify cost-saving measures, a process that may require a special board meeting.

New Fire Station Project Key Points:

• All submitted bids for the new fire station exceeded the district’s budget.

• Chief Steve Malone said areas under review for cost reduction include roofing, insulation, HVAC, garage doors, and flooring.

• A miscommunication regarding landscaping and property seeding is also being addressed.

• The district is working with its construction manager, ICI Builds, to amend the project and control costs.

The Manhattan Fire Protection District is back to the drawing board on its new fire station project after construction bids came in higher than anticipated.

During the district’s board meeting on June 16, Fire Chief Steve Malone reported that the submitted bids all exceeded the project’s maximum budget. As a result, the district is now working with its construction manager, ICI Builds, to re-evaluate several components of the station’s design to bring costs back in line.

“New station bids have been received and came in over the max price, now we are looking to reevaluate a few things,” Malone told the board.

Among the areas being reviewed for potential savings are the station’s roofing, insulation, HVAC systems, garage doors, and flooring. Malone also noted there was a “miscommunication regarding seeding of the property” in the landscape bid that needs to be clarified. An addendum to the contract with ICI Builds will be required to reflect any changes.

Malone expressed hope that the review process would move quickly but acknowledged that the complexity of the issue might necessitate a special board meeting to approve a revised plan. The goal is to move forward without compromising the essential functions of the new facility.

In other business, Malone updated the board that the district is still awaiting the delivery of benches for the memorial site at Fire Station 83.

The Board of Trustees, including newly sworn-in member Mike Shivers, took the chief’s report under advisement. The district’s finances are otherwise in good shape, with accountant James Howard reporting that the budget is on track, interest rates on deposits are good, and real estate tax revenue is coming in as expected.