City council has awarded a more than $218,000 contract to replace the brick facade on the clock tower of Fire Station 1.
Council approved the award of a contract Tuesday, worth $218,305, plus HST, to Heritage Restoration Inc.
A formal request for bids closed Jan. 22, with Heritage Restoration coming in at the lowest of six.
Fire Station 1, located at the corner of Princess Street West and Ferguson Street, was built in 2000 as a “modern interpretation of the historic masonry fire hall it replaced,” a staff report to council says.
However, water penetration, leaks, brick deterioration, spalling and cracking have been observed on the tower over the years and is “accelerating.”
“I think we’d all agree that 20 years doesn’t seem that old for brick work. But, unfortunately, we do have to do about $218,000 in repair,” said Coun. Chris Mayne, who chairs council’s infrastructure and operations committee.
The city had an architect provide a report with recommendations for the repair, which staff say will address the issues while maintaining the original design.
The roofing system on the clock tower, meanwhile, is in good condition and not included in the project.
Approximately $205,506 in funding is available in the city’s fire facilities management program for the work. A total of $29,500 also will need to be transferred from funds set aside for fire portable radio replacement.
North Bay Fire Chief Jason Whiteley told The Nugget last month that the way the bricks were put in more than two decades ago has unfortunately created safety issues that, if left too long, will result in the cost to repair them escalating.
The repairs, however, are not expected to significantly affect the operations of the station and Whiteley said he imagined the work would likely start in the spring.
MAIN STREET REDESIGN
A contract for the redesign of downtown Main Street will head back to council for approval after being deferred to get more information from staff.
Council, during an infrastructure and operations committee meeting Tuesday, recommended the approval of the $340,607 contract, plus HST, to R.V. Anderson Associates Ltd., which is headquartered in Toronto, but has several other offices, including one in Sudbury.
The project aims to address infrastructure that has reached the end of its life, including interlocking brick roadway and sidewalks, curbs and gutters, retaining walls, stairs, railings, benches and lighting.
The city’s long-term capital budget includes $4.2 million in 2022 and 2023 for engineering and construction services related to the Main Street work.
The contract went to council earlier this month for approval, but was sent back to the committee level at the request of Coun. Mark King, who questioned why the city couldn’t do the work itself.
Councillors Chris Mayne and George Maroosis, who run Mayne Travel Services and K Bros Maroosis Art Centre downtown, respectively, each declared a conflict on the matter.
Senior capital program engineer Adam Lacombe explained that doing the work in-house may result in other projects being deferred or contracted out.
The city would still need outside consultants for electrical and architectural services. As part of the project, Lacombe said the city also is requiring that the consultant develop a consultation framework that would give stakeholders an opportunity to provide input.
King, who chaired the infrastructure and operations committee in Mayne’s stead, asked about integrated project management, which he argued would allow those involved in the planning process to control the overall costs.
City engineer John Severino said the project is based on the previously completed Downtown Waterfront Master Plan, which had significant consultation, while the consultant would have to work within the budget provided.
Severino also reiterated that the framework would allow for input early in the design, adding he believes starting a new process would “significantly delay” the project.
King attempted to keep the matter at committee, but was overruled by a majority of council members.