FAQ - Cost Increase Since 2018

Why is the building so much more expensive now than when proposed in 2018?

In 2018, when the architect was asked to bring the cost of the building down, they removed one of the three drive through apparatus bays. This cut was not supported by the Fire/EMS department but it did bring the building cost down.

Other differences between 2018 and now:

• There was no EOC/Training room included
• The Sallyport only had one bay so no vehicle evidence could be stored.
• This plan includes a detective’s office. This is considered to be a likely addition to the police force and important to plan for.
• This plan includes a second holding cell and two more bunkrooms. These were felt to be important expansions that would help the station meet our needs well into the future.
• Men’s and Women’s locker room space was increased significantly to reflect the changing demographics of our workforce.
• Space was added for general police storage and police record storage. This is a problem currently and important for the future.
• Space was added for fire department plan review and storage space.
• A lot of attention was paid to public vs private spaces and access. There is more definition between shared spaces and department specific spaces. One area that was added was vestibule space with cameras where someone could wait to be allowed in. This is considered to be a safety requirement.
• Several spaces were increased in size to be better prepared for the future (armory, evidence, kitchen/break)
• More thought and square footage went into decontamination of people and gear and safe storage of gear. This is driven by increased focus on bio and chemical hazards.

Here are some areas with differences in size. They account for close to 60% of the difference in square footages between the two designs.

When comparing the project cost in 2018 ($7 million) to the cost today (approximately $12 million), it is important to look beyond just the square footage differences.

Our cost estimators have seen project costs increase by 5% per year over the past few years. The $7 million JWA project in today’s dollars would be $8.1 million.

If you add in the 3809 extra square feet of space at $760/square foot, that price increases to $11 million. For a rough, back of the envelope calculation, we have come pretty close to explaining why the price tag is so much higher than last time.