Marion may oversee construction of PD add-on

Marion may oversee construction of PD add-on

City could save by serving as its own contractor

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com Marion may serve as its own contractor to build an addition to the police station in order to lower construction costs.

Mayor Frank Fogleman brought up the idea of the city doing the work to the City Council’s Police and Fire committee and received positive feedback.

“I think it’s an intriguing idea,” Fogleman said.

The city is planning to build a storage area for evidence and more office space onto the current police station building, and is also has cost estimates for renovating Fire Station No. 2.

F& F Construction Co.

drew up plans for both projects, but officials have been unsatisfied with the cost estimates.

The city has $635,000 available from a $16 million bond which was passed by voters last year. Fogleman said the city could probably save $45,000 if it acts as it’s on contractor on the police station.

He’s also considering doing the same on the Fire station. The current cost estimate for the fire station is $458,000.

“I’m willing to do the police department and maybe the fire station,” Fogleman said. “The $500,000 for a fire station is too much.”

Building Inspector Jerry Kelley said he has already contacted the state and was told that it is legal for cities to act as their own contractors.

“I don’t see a problem at all,” Kelley said. “The state said it is legal and that they would do the inspection work.”

Kelley said West Memphis has also offered to do the inspection work.

“So it won’t be our own inspector,” Kelley said.

Councilman Kelly O’Neal said he is open to the idea of the city serving as its own contractor, but asked to be allowed to get another construction estimate from Quality Flooring before they make a decision.

Quality Flooring has done renovation work at the county courthouse.

“They do really good work,” O’Neal said.

“I’m working on getting a price. I should have a price next week.”

F& F’s bid is about $270 per square foot, which O’Neal believes is too high.

Police Chief Gary Kelly agreed that Quality Flooring could do the job.

“I agree,” Kelly said.

“He can do a heck of a job.”

O’Neal asked Jerry Kelley whether he thought he had the capability of serving as contractor on the project at the police station.

“Jerry, can you do it?”

O’Neal said.

“Absolutely,” Kelley said. “It’s just a metal building. And actually, we’d just be extending it.” Councilman Cliff Wood asked Chief Kelly if he was satisfied with the design for the addition.

“Is this what you need Chief?” Wood said.

“Yeah, it’s fine,” Kelly said.

Fogleman said the City may still owe the architect some money for their design work.

“They have been paid for some work” Fogleman said.

City Attorney James “Jimbo” Hale said he did not see any legal issues with serving as its own contractor, but also advised them to see what O’Neal’s estimate from Quality will come in at.

“Let’s see what Kelly has,” Hale said.

By Mark Randall