Northfield seeking bids for fire station upgrade
Northfield Village is seeking to get the fire station addition and renovations project back on track after a two-year hiatus, and is asking contractors to submit bids for the construction.
Legal notices are appearing in the News Leader, and the deadline for contractors to submit bids is Feb. 23 at 1 p.m. Village Council will consider awarding a contract sometime after that.
The general construction cost estimate for the project is $3.25 million. The village had first sought bids in February 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic put the project, along with a few others, on hold.
Baker Bednar Snyder & Associates of Warren is handling architecture, engineering and interior design for the project. The village contracted with the firm in June 2019, and it will be paid 9% of the final construction cost.
Two years ago, the project cost was estimated at $2.8 million. After the initial bid notice was published back then, Fire Chief Jason Buss said 16 contractors requested bid packets.
Information for prospective bidders and other contract documents can be examined at the fire station’s or architect’s office. Copies of plans, specs and proposal blanks can be obtained from the architect by calling 330-856-7222.
Buss previously said the new space would increase the size of the fire station, which was constructed in 2003, to about 12,150 square feet. He added some funding could come from Tax Increment Financing the village receives from MGM Northfield Park.
The architectural firm has recommended adding a vehicle bay on the north side of the building and lengthening the two existing bays by about 20 feet. Vehicles could be driven through both ends of all three bays.
The office space would be altered, a space for washing and storage of turnout gear would be created, living quarters and a laundry area on the second floor would be provided with a balcony added, and a training/workout area would be created toward the back of the building.
Buss has said once the expansion is completed the station should serve the community for many years, and further expansion should not be necessary as long as the station remains in the same location.
Baker Bednar Snyder & Associates also is providing consulting, administration and schematic design phase services for a new police station targeted for the east side of Northfield Road between Village Hall and Magnolia Avenue.
The firm was awarded the contract for that project in August 2021.
Council business
At Council’s Feb. 8 meeting, an amendment to a codified ordinance relating to nonconforming signs was adopted after the legislation was introduced Jan. 25.
The ordinance states that nonconforming signs must be altered to conform to code with the sale, transfer or leasing of properties where the signs are located.
Added to Section 1280.2 of the codified ordinances is:
“In the event a property is sold or transferred, or a new tenant leases a property or unit, any nonconforming signs related to the business of the new property owner/tenant shall be made to conform with the provisions of this ordinance within 90 days of the property transfer or lease commencement date.”
Council also confirmed the mayor’s appointment of Stash Apana to the recreation board, and acknowledged that Bunker Vom Logan Haus, or Bunk for short, is the village’s new K-9 officer.
The one-year-old purebred yellow Labrador retriever has successfully completed an Ohio Peace Officers Training Center-approved canine academy and is a state certified special purpose working dog trained in detecting smokeless powder.
Officer Paul Gramlich will be Bunk’s main handler, but Lt. Brian Zajac also can handle the dog, which is currently training to track people.
Contact the newspaper at newsleader@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Northfield seeking bids for fire station upgrade
