Mount Prospect hires firms to lead new fire station project
Despite one trustee's objections, the Mount Prospect village board took another step this week toward construction of a new fire headquarters out of an existing building at 111 E. Rand Road.
The board voted Tuesday to hire the Mount Prospect-based firm Nicholas and Associates Inc. to serve as construction manager for the $10 million project, and Williams Architects to design the facility.
Nicholas submitted the lowest bid, $541,000, among eight firms vying for the work. But it will be a while before Nicholas sees any money. The firm is charging nothing for its pre-construction services, and the contract will be amended to cover remaining costs later in the project.
"Our company philosophy is not to charge for pre-construction services. We're excited just to get the work to get the project to the next step," firm President Nick Papanicholas Jr. said.
As construction manager, Nicholas will be involved in all phases of the project, from design to construction, to ensure that it stays on budget.
Williams Architects will design the new headquarters at a cost not to exceed $498,000. The firm was one of five bidding for the job.
"Williams impressed us at the final interview process, because of their knowledge of what is happening today in fire departments," Trustee Richard Rogers said. "I know the (fire) chief was really pleased with a lot of the answers that Williams came up with versus the others."
Trustee Paul Hoefert, a frequent critic of the project, cast the only vote against hiring the firms.
"This is $10 million of the taxpayers' money that we don't need to spend," he said. "We have a serviceable fire station. It works every day for us, and in my mind, with all due respect, this is a waste of tax money, and it is really sad that this is happening."