Contract Awarded for Next Phase of RCMP Building
By 250 News
Monday, January 05, 2009 08:55 PM
Proposed 2 storey, 2 acre development that will be the new home for the Prince George RCMP detachment
Prince George, B.C.- Dominion Fairmile has been given the job of joining the design team for the new RCMP building to help cost out the price tag for the project and the intent is that Dominion Fairmile will get the job of building the facility.
Councillor Dave Wilbur put forth questions that could have derailed that contract. Wilbur had staff confirm that the original RCMP building was built with the idea of adding extra floors, yet that has not been explored. He would like to see alternatives explored like expanding the Brunswick Street property or renovating the Brunswick Street property and building a smaller facility that is not so centralized. He also pointed out there are 2 borrowing bylaws, and the amount already approved for borrowing is $21 million. However, it is expected the actual cost of the planned facility would be much more although no one can say how much more that might be. Director of Leisure Services, Tom Madden says while costs have likely escalated over the past 24-36 months, the current economic climate could see a reversal in that escalation.
Councillor Wilbur says he would like to make his final decision based on looking at everything that is available. Councillor Cameron Stolz says he is concerned about approving an RFP when the possible cost of this project could creep into the $40 million dollar range. The City Taxpayer is paying the full bill for this project, there is no cost sharing with other levels of government.
This is the second time City Council has had a look at this item.
The previous Council asked that there be an independent third party review of the process, however, staff returned to the new Council with a report which does not include a third party review. The report reads “that approach has since been determined as inconsistent with the RFP instructions to proponents and the process set out in it. It is important that the City respect the duty of procedural fairness in its competitive bidding processes.”
The report concludes the City should award the contract to Dominion Fairmile as it was the one of 7 proponents for the job. It is expected the company which gets this job (worth no more than $90 thousand dollars) will land the contract to actually build the facility.
Dominion Fairmile will be involved in:
• completing the design review for presentation to Council;
• preparing capital cost estimates for the project which reflect final design quantity survey results, construction industry economic conditions and other cost/savings measures associated with the final design; and
• provide an option to further engage the construction management contractor to manage the construction phase of the project.
Councillor Wilbur presented a motion calling for a look at 4 points
1. update report on the current facility and its ability to handle expansion
2. examine possibility of renovating existing facility
3. look at building a smaller, de centralized building
4. look at alternative sites.
All fourpoints would have cost factors included.
Wilbur says the 4th and Victoria property is a very expensive site. He suggested the land be sold and the dollars from that sale be put towards new construction.
His motion was defeated.
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Posted by: Wileycoyote on January 5 2009 9:49 PM