Council to Consider Public Safety Headquarters Price

are set to consider holding off on two road projects in order to fund the public safety headquarters and new fire station in the works for some time.

At the , it is expected to discuss the newest cost estimate of nearly $16.5 million for the projects, which is $3 to $5 million more than previously estimated.

To account for the excess, city staffers recommend stalling or eliminating two road projects unless Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax collections pick up—traffic signal and turning lane improvements at Sugar Valley and Burnt Hickory roads and a new bridge over Nancy Creek at Sugar Valley Road.

But officials continue to look for cost savings in the project to construct the fire and police headquarters building on Cassville Road, which is currently estimated at $13 million, and the new Fire Station No. 4 on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, which now is expected to cost $3.415 million.

Five of the 79 local businesses that attended a to encourage local participation in the construction were low bidders on subcontracting jobs. Only 16 of the 79 requested qualification packages, and 10 of the 16 returned those to Potts Construction, the construction management company. Nine local companies bid on projects.

In addition, Potts is using five more local contractors for a total of 10 local companies.

In another step forward on the projects, the council is set to consider the demolition of the old fire station and former location at 550 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

See the full agenda packet attached to this article for all items up for consideration, including zoning and annexation and several purchases.