Cost to build new Wilmington fire station increases nearly $573,000

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Rising construction costs means the proposed fire station on Shipyard Boulevard will be smaller than expected and cost more to build.

According to city documents, in order to bring this project within budget, the original building layout required design revisions to reduce the overall size of the fire station by 3,000 square feet, a move the city says  will not compromise the function or space needs.  The new station will now be approximately 11,500 square feet.

On Tuesday, Wilmington City Council is expected to vote on two items concerning the fire station.

Council will vote on a resolution to award the $3,430,000 construction contract to KMD construction.

But in order to ensure sufficient funds are available, council must also vote on an ordinance making a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $572,700. This amount includes $229,700 to award the construction contract and a 10% construction contingency of $343,000.

This additional cost would come from $165,488 of surplus from the Cinema Drive Fire Station, $4,928 of interest earnings and $402,284 from Capital Balances.

Construction is expected to begin within 60 days and should be completed within 12 months.

Once this fire station is built, it will allow the city to close the stations on Wellington Avenue and Carolina Beach Road, which is part of the city’s plan to redistribute fire stations and reduce the number from eleven to nine.