Article Summary:

The Manhattan Fire Protection District board approved most construction bids for its new fire station during a special meeting, but will re-bid roofing, flooring, overhead doors, and landscaping to reduce the project’s overall cost. A groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility, which will be financed by up to $8.75 million in bonds, is scheduled for July 31.

New Fire Station Project Key Points:

• The board awarded bids for excavation, concrete, steel, HVAC, and other core construction trades.

• Four components—roofing, flooring, overhead doors, and landscaping—will be re-bid to lower costs after initial proposals came in over budget.

• Key changes include pricing a commercial asphalt shingle roof instead of steel and standard overhead doors instead of more expensive bi-fold doors.

• A groundbreaking ceremony for the new station is set for July 31, with construction slated to begin in August.

MANHATTAN – The Manhattan Fire Protection District took a major step forward on its new fire station project Friday, awarding a dozen construction contracts while simultaneously launching a cost-cutting effort on four key components that drove initial bids over budget.

During a special meeting on July 11, the Board of Trustees, acting on the recommendation of construction manager ICI Builds, approved bids for essential trades including excavation, concrete, masonry, steel, plumbing, and electrical work. This allows the initial phases of the project to move forward, with a groundbreaking ceremony now planned for July 31 at 10:00 a.m.

However, after bids reviewed in June exceeded the district’s budget, officials will seek new proposals for roofing, flooring, overhead doors, and landscaping.

According to meeting documents, several changes are being made to the specifications for these items. The roof, originally planned as steel, will now be re-bid with a commercial asphalt shingle roof designed to withstand 100-mph winds, a point of clarification sought by Trustee Bob Davis. A steel roof will be included as a bid alternate.

The three large, bi-fold-style overhead doors facing Eastern Avenue will be re-bid as standard doors to reduce expense, with the more costly but safer bi-fold doors listed as an alternate. The original flooring plan, which included high-end epoxy, has also been modified. Finally, the landscaping bid was scaled back after initially covering all 21 acres of the site.

Chief Steve Malone was granted signature authority to execute the related documents. The board also approved a necessary addendum to its original contract with ICI Builds to reflect the revised bidding strategy.

The re-bid packages are expected to go out soon, with a bid opening scheduled for August 7. The board anticipates awarding the final four contracts at its August 18 meeting.