BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL SELECTS COLLIER CONSTRUCTION TO LEAD WORK ON SECOND FIRE STATION

  

Construction of Brenham’s second fire station will soon get underway.

The Brenham City Council today (Thursday) moved forward with a proposal from Collier Construction to handle building the new station, which will be located at James Nutt Boulevard and Handley Street.  Plans for the 10,000-square-foot facility include three apparatus bays, living quarters for six personnel, an exercise room, training classroom and associated support spaces.

City of Brenham Director of Engineering Services Richard O’Malley said the proposals received were very competitive, with a total of nine submitted to the city ranging in cost from $6,218,005 to $7,123,625.  Collier Construction’s proposal came in the least expensive, with value engineering bringing the amount to $6,197,085, and O’Malley said the company also graded the highest when taking into account other factors like qualifications, experience, references and subcontractor support. 

The project will be funded by certificates of obligation the city issued in June 2023. 

Collier Construction has partnered with the city for several other projects, including the modernization of the Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Library, building the Brenham Pet Adoption Center and completing the Crossover Nature Trail at Hohlt Park. 

Mayor Atwood Kenjura said it was “wonderful” to receive so much interest in this project, as it makes it easy for the council to make its decision.  He thanked the architect involved with the design of the fire station, Brown Reynolds and Watford (BRW) Architects, for providing strong plans for the bidding companies to consider.  He added that this project has been “kicked down the road for many years” and that “it’s time” to get started.

O’Malley said upon signing of the contract, the city will look to schedule a groundbreaking for hopefully mid- to late-March.  He said construction should take a year to complete. 

In other items today, the council:

• Approved a resolution to authorize the acceptance of public infrastructure improvements in the 50-acre Brenham Market Square development.  Completed civil construction includes the creation of commercial lots, two public streets – Nolan Street and Ryan Street – and associated utility improvements, a regional detention and drainage system with three ponds, public storm sewer, and sidewalks.  The improvements are valued at approximately $868,200.
• Performed the second reading of an ordinance calling a special charter amendment election on May 3^rd.  The second reading included a 12^th amendment proposition requested during the council’s previous meeting that would open up the residency requirement for the city manager, allowing them to live in the county instead of just inside city limits. 
• Approved a resolution for a variance to allow the replacement of a changeable electronic variable message sign for the Washington County Expo Center.
• Re-appointed nine members to serve on the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors for a period of two years, as well as a board member to serve as chairman for one year.  The TIRZ board consists of the full city council in Places 1-7, Brenham Community Development Corporation board member Gary Crocker in Place 8 and KTEX/KWHI President and General Manager Tom Whitehead in Place 9.  Mayor Atwood Kenjura will serve as board chair. 
• Heard a presentation on the Tax Phase-in Compliance Review Committee.
• Held executive session discussion on topics including: legal matters and the possible acquisition of real property related to the TxDOT Highway 290/Highway 36 interchange project; Brenham Police Department operations, personnel and associated matters; a demand letter received by the City of Brenham; and matters pertaining to Randall Patterson v. City of Brenham, Cause No. 38495, 335^th Judicial District Court and potentially retaining litigation counsel.  The council moved to retain Bart Frederick of the Moorman Tate, LLP Law Firm to represent the city in the lawsuit.

Click here to view the agenda packet for Thursday's meeting.