An aerial view of Auburn Central Fire Station on Minot Avenue. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
AUBURN — Officials have largely agreed on the framework for a building committee that will drive a multiyear, $27 million renovation and expansion of Auburn’s public safety buildings.
The City Council is expected to vote next month on the makeup and guidelines of the committee, but were supportive during a workshop session last week.
The committee will work with staff and consultants to advise officials on the preferred site, design and cost estimates for a new Engine 2 Fire Station, a combined police and fire public safety building, and building upgrades at the Engine 5 Fire Station.
Officials said that due to the projected costs, the overall project would likely appear before voters for approval in November 2022.
If passed, the Police Department would move out of Auburn Hall which, according to a report, was only meant to be a five-year solution until a new headquarters could be built. The department has been based at Auburn Hall for 13 years.
According to a staff memo, $200,000 was budgeted in this year’s Capital Improvement Program “to engage competent consulting professionals to finalize designs” of all three phases of the project.
The memo states the committee will be comprised of 21 members appointed by the City Council. It will include the fire chief, police chief, two city councilors, 911 director, city manager, three members of the Fire Department, three members of the Police Department, seven residents and two city staff members.
The framework for the committee says it would be responsible for conducting a site selection process “that considers all reasonable options for locating the Engine 2 Fire Station, including public and private property;” a space needs analysis review that “considers existing needs as well as some accommodation for future growth,” as well as the building designs and cost estimates.
City Manager Phil Crowell said last week that the committee would also review potential combined use and energy efficient upgrades, to “maximize value and overall cost savings.”
Crowell said the committee would be expected to deliver its recommendations and other material by February 2022.
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