Palm Beach to review contract for fire station renovation amid rise in construction costs
The top-to-bottom renovation of the North Fire Station is going to cost significantly more than expected.
During its meeting Tuesday at Town Hall, the Town Council will vote on a resolution approving a contract worth $14.8 million to Hedrick Brothers Construction for construction services related to the project.
That total represents the final “guaranteed maximum price” for the project, which had an initial cost estimate of $5.5 million in 2021 when council members agreed to move up the renovation by two years because of water intrusion.
The guaranteed maximum price was finalized June 29 following weeks of negotiations between town staff and representatives of West Palm Beach-based Hedrick Brothers, according to town documents.
Related: Construction underway on Royal Poinciana Playhouse redevelopment project
Council members Tuesday also will vote to establish a project budget of $15.9 million, which is inclusive of three previously awarded purchase orders totaling $3.8 million, the town said.
The total estimated cost for the project is $17 million, according to town documents. That figure incorporates costs for the architect, engineers, and trailers to house staff during construction.
Work on the North Fire Station project began last summer and will include a complete renovation of the landmarked structure, which was built in 1927.
Its condition deteriorated over the years, and roof leaks had been a longtime issue. Water intrusion caused by hurricanes in 2004 and 2005 led to mold, forcing the relocation of staff until the building was remediated. An inspection in July 2021 uncovered additional water damage and mold intrusion.
"We discovered roof leaks in the process of inspecting the roof," Public Works Director Paul Brazil told the council during a budget workshop that month. "We also had a company come in and check for any water damage. They did find evidence of some mold."
Tests revealed that the air quality inside the building at at 300 N. County Road remained good, but council members agreed to move up a previously scheduled renovation after deeming it a "top priority." The council allocated $1.5 million of a $2.7 million budget surplus for the work.
“The fire station is No. 1 for me," Council Member Julie Araskog said during the budget workshop. "This is urgent. It needs to be done ASAP."
The North Fire Station is among the oldest operating fire stations in Florida. The building, which houses 11 fire-rescue and civilian personnel, was landmarked in 1988.
While the building is being renovated, North Fire Station personnel have been operating out of a temporary station beside the old one, near the intersection of North County Road and Wells Road. The temporary station was built by American Modular Systems of Manteca, California. It includes a dormitory trailer that can house up to six firefighters, and a bunker trailer that houses fire gear.
Five Fire-Rescue personnel currently occupy the dormitory trailer, the town said, while the department’s administration team, chief and assistant chief are operating out of other town facilities. The temporary station serves the same response zone as the old one — from north of Royal Poinciana Way to the Palm Beach Inlet, Assistant Fire Chief Sean Baker said.
Two other Fire-Rescue stations serve Palm Beach residents and business owners.
The Central Fire-Rescue Station at 355 S. County Road covers the area north of Southern Boulevard to south of Royal Poinciana Way. It also serves as the town’s Emergency Operations Center. The South Fire-Rescue Station at 2185 S. Ocean Blvd. covers Southern Boulevard to south town limits.
Also Tuesday, the council will:
Hear a presentation on the town-wide undergrounding project
Evaluate alternatives to relocating garbage and recycling pickup at Lake Drive Park
Discuss the Port of Palm Beach Strategic Master Plan
Vote on proposed ordinances amending the fiscal year 2023 budget, and defining where a person can legally stand within public rights-of-way, roadways and sidewalks.
Hear the Watershed Report from Lake Worth Waterkeeper Reinaldo Diaz
Council members will meet Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at Town Hall, and also at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday for development review and at 9:30 a.m. Thursday for a budget workshop. Members of the public can participate in person or via Zoom webinar. Those wishing to make public comments virtually can access the Zoom link on the town's Meeting Audio page.
Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Amid rising costs, Palm Beach to review contract for firehouse redo
