MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – Middleburg Heights Mayor Matt Castelli predicts that work on adaptive reuse of an old library will begin in late October, or sometime in November, to create a new police station.

The vacant building is on the corner of Bagley Road and Big Creek Parkway.

“Right now we go through many design phases to come up with a final design,” Castelli told board members at the September 13 finance committee meeting.

He said all parties are working to finalize a guaranteed maximum price.

“This GMP will be the price at which (The Albert M. Higley Co.) will be held to complete the entire project,” Castelli said, noting that the original estimate was $ 5 million, while the construction of a completely new installation would have doubled that cost.

Some elements have since been added to the design of the project, including site water management (the cost of which will likely be reimbursed, Castelli said), a storm shelter, electronic door controls for added security, bulletproof panels, generator, connectivity to the underground fiber network. at the town hall, an exercise area, additional storage space, lightning protection and a fire alarm system.

As a result, the cost will drop to around $ 5.5 million, with an additional contingency of $ 682,000 also factored in.

“There is no impact on the General Fund,” said Castelli. “The move from our dispatch center to the Southwest Emergency dispatch center (in Strongsville in June) will pay for this increase.”

Gavin Smith, project manager and director of construction management for Higley, explained that his firm worked closely with Larsen Architects Inc., with much of the “price-related” work.

“They will price it and see what is the best, economical and quality way for us to approach the building,” Smith said.

When separate specifications for the site, the steel framing and the demolition are completed, things can then move faster.

“This will allow us to set the prices, launch a tender and involve sub-contractors so that we can proceed with these packages as we complete the rest of the building, which will be the roof, the interiors and the things of that nature, ”Smith said.

Higley will provide effective paid jobs and use local union workers. Weekly progress reports will be sent to council after construction begins.

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