station

The over 20 volunteers of the Albany Fire Department will soon have a larger and better location in which to work and train after Albany City Council officially awarded a bid for construction of the new Albany Fire Station at a special meeting held last Tuesday, February 18 at city hall.

Plans for a new fire department facility has been in the works for sometime and last year, the city was awarded a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to go toward construction of the new building, which will be located near the EMS building and Wellness Center across from the high school in north Albany.

The project was assisted with a $100,000 commitment from the city and the process to take bids began late last year.

A total of eight contractors submitted bids on the project at a recent bid opening, with the low bid being from Boils Construction Company of Albany for $536,000, which was far lower than any other bid received.

Bids ranged upwards from the second low bidder, Stehl Builders, Inc. at $724,600 upward to $836,000.

Contractors were also offered two alternates to the project, a third bay area and blocking half-way up the new facility.

The bid opening was held on February 7.

Following a review of all bids, the project architects, Sewell and Sewell Architects, of Bowling Green, made an official recommendation on February 14 to Albany Mayor Nicky Smith to accept the low bid, stating in a memorandum from architect Nick Sewell, “After reviewing all bids, the low bidder was Boils Construction, Inc. with a total base bid of $536,000, a bid for Alternate 1 of $31,000 and a bid for Alternate 2 of $21,500. It is recommended that the project be awarded to Boils Construction, Inc. for the base bid and Alternate No. 1 at a total contract amount of $567,000. It is further recommended that a contract be prepared and executed.”

During the call meeting last week, the council, with five members on hand, voted unanimously to approve the low bid.

The new facility will be 87’x83’ and include three drive through bays, office space, an evidence room, supply room, two restrooms and a combination kitchen/training room, according to Albany Fire Department Chief Robert Roeper. He expressed his appreciation to the mayor and city council, as well as everyone else who had a part in making the new fire department facility a reality.

Mayor Nicky Smith indicated that construction on the new building would likely begin within 30 days following the signing of a contract, meaning around early spring and hopes the facility can be completed by early fall.

As far as the existing fire department, it will be utilized to house some fire trucks and for city storage “until we can find a better use,” the mayor said.

Roeper added that with the new facility, the department would be able to “get everything (equipment, vehicles, etc.) inside.”

The mayor and fire chief went on to thank Governor Steve Beshear’s office and staff, State Representative Jeff Hoover and State Senator Sara Beth Gregory for their work and assistance in obtaining the funding and the Clinton County Fiscal Court for working with the city to supply the location for the new building.

“I’m glad we could get it and make the upgrades needed…they (firemen) deserve it,” Smith said.