Fire station/city shop plans near completion

Fire station/city shop plans near completion

Becky Walz

Editor

Ossian City Councilmember Ryan Becker presented preliminary building and mechanical specifications prepared by Structural Contracting, Inc. for the new city shop/fire station facility at Monday’s regular meeting.

Reviewing the plans with the council were several members of the fire department. Brought to the forefront was the need to ensure a walk-through door, which would allow an exit to the alley from the fire station.

“On the original set of plans there was a door in the rear of the building, but I don’t see one on this set,” Becker said of the missing door in the plans.

He will take the plans back to SCI and have the architect put it back in the plans, as well as several windows to allow for natural light into the shop office.

For additional storage in the fire station portion of the building, a 15-foot enclosure will be built in the rear. The wall will also allow for a loft with a staircase leading above for even more storage capacity.

City Administrator Joyce Bakewell will contact the City’s bonding attorney to check how complete the plans need to be before submission. Once approved, the specs will be forwarded to the state fire marshal for approval. The council hopes to have the plans to both the bonding attorney and state fire marshal prior to the March meeting.

The subject of the City acting as its own general contractor for the project was brought to the attention of the council once again. Becker stated he believes it would be more cost-effective if the City would be its own general contractor.

“We would also be in more control of the project,” said Becker.

Bid letting will take place later this spring once the specifications are finalized, with any contractor wishing to bid on the project paying $50 to the City for a complete set of building and mechanical specifications.

Representing Luana Savings Bank, Joe Kriener approached the City with an offer to purchase a lot adjacent to the bank and behind the Gundersen Lutheran Clinic for $500. The issue was taken into consideration but needs to be forwarded to the City’s attorney, and a public hearing will likely take place at the April meeting.

For the full story see the Feb. 6, 2013 Ossian Bee issue at your nearest retailer.