BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TAKES STEPS WITH NEW FIRE STATION
the city council on Thursday the process used to
select a firm to perform design and engineering for
a planned second fire station.
Progress is being made toward a second fire station in Brenham.
On Thursday, the Brenham City Council awarded a request for qualifications (RFQ) to Brown Reynolds and Watford Architects (BRW) out of College Station for professional design and engineering services for the fire station. It also authorized the publication of notice of intention to issue certificates of obligation (COs) not to exceed $10 million, including $8 million to build, equip and furnish the fire station and $2 million for in-house street construction/rebuild projects.
Brenham Fire Chief Roger Williams said out of 11 firms that submitted RFQs, BRW was chosen based on its qualifications, proficiency and scope of work with fire stations and fire training facilities.
The property for the fire station is at the intersection of James Nutt Boulevard and Handley Street, in the Brenham Business Center. Williams said the fire station, projected to be around 10,000 square feet, will have three drive-thru bays for fire engines. No new apparatus will be needed for the station, but the fire department will need nine new firefighters to man it over a three-year period.
At a workshop meeting in August, the cost estimate to build the station was $6.5 million. When asked why the projected cost is now $8 million, Williams said the continued fallout from COVID-19 in causing “exponentially” higher material costs was the main reason for the increase. He said the department will try to get the most it can for the least it has to spend so that more of the CO funding can be used for road work.
Following all required publication of the notice of intent to issue the COs, Specialized Public Finance Inc. will handle securing pricing, and the council will award COs to underwriters on June 15th. The first bond payment would be due on August 15th.
Williams said the entire project, including design, getting a cost analysis, securing bids for construction and building the station, is anticipated to take two years to complete.
It would be nice if the tax payers would get the most bang for the buck, and not spend millions on a Taj Mahal building like the “white elephant police station! What responsible city builds a police station in an industrial park with no open doors, and front desk, it’s supposed to be a sanctuary location. Not some walled off secret fortress. Just thinking
$10M is actually CHEAP when factoring in the massive hike if cost of supplies since 2020.
This is the second possible bond request as there was approved before for a second fire station but the money was used for surplus costs on the police station and animal shelter. How many fireman will be put at this station, move some the existing or hire even more. Good bye volunteer fire department,
Hard to understand what you are saying old fireman? Are you upset that the volunteer side may be going away? Or is that a good thing to you?
Yep, goodbye volunteer fire department. That has happened to almost every volunteer fire department in the nation. As the population they serve grows, more people are required to provide service to accommodate the growth and that service can’t be fully provided by volunteers anymore, thus necessitating a full-paid career department. It’s not a bad thing, in fact, it is a good thing. It reduces response times, necessitates more personnel and training, increases safety for fire personnel and the citizens, and improves quality of life. I’m willing to bet most of the citizens welcome the change.
I can understand the need for a second fire station. I trust that good sense will apply to the process. But to say this is a good thing is a bit disturbing…volunteer fire departments have been a tremendous asset to this community and others. I’ve never served as a volunteer but know many and find them to be extremely dedicated and talented. They are private citizens who do this for service to others. Once government takes over the programs you will see much waste and unnecessary spending, requirements, etc…example…EMS! Much thanks to all those who served this community over the years. God Bless you