Background/Discussion
Council Bluffs Fire Department’s Station #6 was opened in 1959 and currently houses Engine 61 and Medic 6. There are 5 personnel assigned to the station 365 days a year. Since 1959 there have been multiple small scale projects that have tried to keep the station serving the needs of both the department and the community. In recent years there has been consideration of abandoning the station and building a new station further to the east. After years of discussion it has been determined to continue with its’ current location for the foreseeable future or until growth to the east creates a demand that a new station be relocated there. A new further east fire station in today’s dollars would cost roughly 4-5 million to construct. Due to these large costs and the current forecast of growth it has been determined to be more fiscally sound to repair the current location.
Currently the station’s rig floor and a major portion of the living quarters are in need of repair. The rig floor has deteriorated quickly in recent years and must be raised to ensure continued use. Currently the floor has multiple large cracks and the underground HVAC has completely deteriorated. Due to the complexity of the project it has been determined that it would be best to reconstruct the underground utilities while the floor is out. The relocation of much of the mechanical and electrical of the building will help bring the building up to today’s codes. This project will also be done in conjunction with the separate project of replacing the current fire station alerting system which will be completed while the station is being remodeled. It is the intent of staff to bring the station into a condition in which it will last the citizens of Council Bluffs into the foreseeable future.
This project will resolve both the current ADA issues and will aid with the change in staffing demographics of the department.
A public hearing was held and the plans, specification and form of contract were approved by City Council on October 23, 2017 at 7:00 pm. On November 15, 2017 at 10:00 am the City Clerk received bids for the Council Bluffs Fire Station #6 Renovation Project and on November 30, 2017, the City entered into a contract with Anderson Construction for the Council Bluffs Fire Station #6 Renovation Project.
Anderson Construction -$696,887.00
Funding for this project will be paid for by General Obligation Bonds (2016A bond).