The Flagler County Commission today approved a $16 million appropriation for the next and final phase of construction of the Sheriff’s Operations Center on Commerce Boulevard in Bunnell–actually, what will be Sheriff E.W. Johnston Boulevard. Bunnell named the future street after the county’s first sheriff, wo also served as its sixth sheriff and as a county judge until 1956.
The amount will cover “all remaining construction costs associated with the vertical structure,” according to the contract, including foundations, structure, finishes, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and landscaping. The appropriation would be about $200,000 less than originally expected, according to Lon Newman, the construction manager with Ajax Construction Co., the contractor on the project. It brings the total cost of construction to $18.9 million. That price tag does not include the county’s financing costs, which push the price closer to $23 million.
The project’s “substantial completion date” of the 51,615 square-foot, two-story building is now slated for Oct. 10, 2022, almost a year later than projected last December. But there have been no further delays since June, when the commission learned of the later completion date.
“Right now what we have in the document si to be substantially complete October 10 of next year, so by Halloween time, or the Florida-Georgia game of next year, everything should be in, moved in,” Newman said. “For every opportunity we have to be able to improve upon that, we’re going to improve upon that. It doesn’t do us any good to stay out there longer than we need to.” The building will be constructed with tilt-up concrete panels, which enable swifter construction, structural steel and a single-ply “TPO roof,” or thermoplastic polyolefin, a roofing membrane commonly used in construction nowadays. (See details here.)
The appropriation was part of the commission’s consent agenda at its meting today–the portion of the agenda that the commission approves in bulk, without discussing items individually. County Commissioner Andy Dance, who had flagged the delay the last time an appropriation was before the commission, again flagged the item for discussion today, signaling his intention to keep a close eye on the project. But there were no substantial questions for the contractor, who described a smooth course in the last few months, with the county clearing the 8.4 acres and the site work continuing despite significant rains.
“I know in speaking with other contractors, certain materials are significantly delayed and problematic,” Dance said. “So I just wanted to make sure you work through all that and, and have everything lined up.”
That, in fact, has been the case, Newman said. “As soon as we got the bids in from the other subs, we were able to put them immediately under contract, and as soon as they sign that, that prohibits the ability to escalate and get all those important items flowing,” Newman said.
The contract is based on a guaranteed price, beyond which the contractor may not go. If the substantial completion date of Oct. 10 is not met, the contractor faces a fine of $1,000 a day. “subject to increases in time provided via change order,” the contract states.
Click to access sheriff-operations-ajax-contract-update.pdf
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Trailer Bob says
The joy of spending other people’s money never fades. I realize construction cost lots of money nowadays, but those numbers are quite BIG.I am assuming a lot of that money is for technology, etc.
Concerned citizen says
What a joke. Still no accountability for the million of dollars wasted on the debaucle of the original sherrifs headquarters in the old Florida Hospital. No consequence at the taxpayers expense
TheTruth says
Can you see the Flagler County Boys Club Commissioners have no problem spending Flagler County taxpayers money. A two story building costs this much? Why? How many bid’s did they get for this job?
Skibum says
For some reason, it seems as though some Palm Coast and Flagler Co. residents are against any and all spending of money, for any public agency project whatsoever. I’ve seen so many negative comments regarding funds approved for not only the much needed sheriff’s operations center, but also public park improvements such as the really nice additions to Holland Memorial Park, the ongoing streets improvements on Old Kings Rd., etc., etc., etc. Well, I have news for all of the naysayers who think our local governments are squeezing them dry through unnecessary taxes… get over it! Our taxes and our cost of living is less than most other states, and if you came from one of those states with higher taxes and are STILL complaining, you are probably just one of those curmudgeons who love to complain about everything in your as well as other people’s lives. I, for one, see the benefit of a brand new, nice home for our sheriff’s deputies, and realize that it is way past due for them. That is especially true after the horrible stumbles the county made trying to piecemeal an old, outdated, mold infested former hospital and other non-suitable buildings that made our law enforcement look like they were only good for second-hand, castaway buildings that you or I would not dare consider moving into. Enough! Just be happy that the county can afford the cost, and that our sheriff’s deputies deserve what is being built to house this very important public safety function in our community.