Jerome Township is one step closer to building a second fire station.
The trustees unanimously accepted a bid for the construction of Station 211 during their meeting Tuesday.
“It’ll be a wonderful thing for the safety of our residents,” said Trustee Chair Megan Sloat.
Robertson Construction Services, based in Heath, submitted the lowest bid of four bidders. The company bid a base price of $4.114 million, along with an additional $144,900 for alternates, including flooring, lighting and countertop upgrades.
Director of Departments and Jerome Township Division of Fire Chief Douglas Stewart said Robertson Construction Services is a company with “great experience,” which has worked on several fire stations and schools in central Ohio.
Stewart explained that the bid opening on Feb. 3 was actually the second time the township solicited bids for the project.
The project was initially advertised in late 2021, he said.
At that time, the architect for the project provided a cost estimate of $3.8 million. Stewart said the amount was based on “historical building” costs in the area, along with the current price of materials and labor.
Ohio Revised Code prevents the township from accepting any bid that does not fall within 10% of the estimated cost.
All four bids opened in December were above the ORC threshold, which forced the township to advertise again, this time with an increased estimate of $4 million.
“Some of the bids actually came in less than the first time,” Stewart said.
While the construction cost will be $4,258,900, Stewart noted that the total project cost will also include fees associated with the consultant guiding the project and architect costs. He estimated the final bill will be approximately $5.5 million.
Stewart has previously said that the entirety of the project is funded through an agreement made with Nationwide Realty during the development of Jerome Village.
Station 211 will be located at 11840 Ewing Road, Plain City, on land donated by Nationwide Realty.
The fire station will be a pre-engineered steel, 10,500-square foot building.
Stewart said the building is designed in a manner that it could be expanded in the future. He said it will last the township at least 50 years.
“We haven’t had a new station in 30 years, this year,” Stewart said.
The fire chief said he expects to have a schedule for the project by the trustees’ next meeting, March 1.
The bid from Robertson Construction Services is for a 365-day project but Stewart said he anticipates Station 211 will be opened in April 2023.
In other business:
– The trustees rescheduled a special meeting to discuss their goals and priorities from March 3 to March 7 at 7 p.m., in the Township Hall, 9777 Industrial Parkway.
The Union County Township Officials Association Banquet falls on the same date as the initially scheduled meeting, which prompted the change.
– The baseball lottery, in which individuals or teams are assigned their dates for use of the field at Harry Wolfe Park, will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Township Hall.
– Township officials are holding an “ice drop challenge.”
Residents can place a $1 bet to guess when they think “Panama Pete” – a wooden “man” outfitted with a Hawaiian shirt – placed on the lake at Harry Wolfe Park will fall through the ice. The winner will receive $50 (or an even split between winners.)
Guesses can be submitted at the Township Hall or Jerome Township Fire Station.
Funds generated will benefit the Jerome Township Parks and Trails Committee.