Manhattan Fire District Approves Rebid Packages for New Station, Saving Nearly $200,000

Manhattan Fire Protection District | August 18, 2025 Meeting

Article Summary: The Manhattan Fire Protection District Board of Trustees approved rebid packages for roofing, overhead doors, and flooring for its new fire station, achieving approximately $194,000 in savings from the original bids. The board also held a public hearing regarding its intent to sell up to $8.75 million in bonds to fund the project, for which no public objections were made.

New Fire Station 81 Project Key Points:

• Rebid packages for the new station’s roofing, overhead doors, and flooring were approved.

• The rebid process resulted in a total net savings of approximately $194,000.

• Earthwork has already started at the new station site, with a construction trailer arriving this week.

• The district held a public hearing on its intent to sell up to $8.75 million in General Obligation Bonds to finance the new station’s construction and equipment.

The Manhattan Fire Protection District Board of Trustees on Monday, August 18, 2025, took a significant step forward with its new Station 81 project, approving several rebid packages that will save the district nearly $200,000. The approvals came shortly after the board held a public hearing on its plan to sell bonds to finance the construction.

The board unanimously approved a motion to accept the rebid packages for the station’s roofing, overhead doors, and flooring finishes, as presented by ICI Builds. According to the meeting minutes, the rebid for the roof came in $155,000 lower than the initial bid. While the overhead doors saw an increase of $9,300 due to changes in size and type, the flooring finishes were rebid with a savings of $50,000.

The total approximate savings from the three packages is $194,000. The district will hold off on the landscaping rebid package as it continues to work with the Village of Manhattan on an intergovernmental agreement.

“Total rebid savings were approximately $194,000.00,” the meeting minutes stated. The motion to approve the packages for overhead doors, roofing, and flooring was made by Trustee Brian Hupe, seconded by Trustee Bob Davis, and passed.

The action followed a brief public hearing concerning the district’s intent to sell not to exceed $8,750,000 of General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source) to construct and equip the new fire station. The hearing opened at 4:01 p.m. and closed at 4:02 p.m. after no objections were made.

Fire Chief Steve Malone reported that construction is already underway, with earthwork having started at the new site. A construction trailer is scheduled to be dropped off on Wednesday. Malone also noted that the district is still working through the easement process with ComEd, BP, and Nicor.