Charles Perry Partners of Gainesville has been selected as construction manager at risk for the new Wildwood police station on the southwest corner of U.S. 301 and County Road 462 East.
At their meeting Monday, commissioners authorized City Manager Jason McHugh to begin negotiations with the firm on the project cost and other contract terms.
The construction manager at risk process requires the company, which will supervise the $7 million project, to complete it within a guaranteed maximum cost.
Commissioners appointed a second selection committee for the construction manager after the first committee failed to complete the process.
Public works director Jeremy Hockenbury said Charles Perry Partners was recommended partly because the firm could complete the station in 12 months while the other eight bidders said it would take 16 months or more.
Established in 1968, the company’s local projects include the University of Florida’s Innovation Hub, the Harn Museum and a football complex at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Mayor Ed Wolf, who voted against using the construction manager at risk instead of a standard bidding process, continued to express reservations.
“I’d like to know what it’s going to cost,” he said. “To me, it’s like giving them a signed city check.”
The 13,200-square-foot building will include a community room with a moveable wall, a sally port for prisoner transfer and a tower near the entrance. The land was acquired more than two years ago for about $500,000. The purchase price was reduced after sink holes were found on the seven-acre property.
Hockenbury also provided an update on the restoration of the current police station after it was severely damaged last month by an electrical fire.
He said cleaning is finished and he hopes power can be restored this week. The main electrical panel was destroyed but two other panels survived. Heating and air conditioning systems need replacement.
The station is expected to be used for records storage when the new station is completed.
Police have been operating from the second floor of a recreation center, but a temporary trailer is expected to be delivered soon to provide office space.
“This process has been extremely cooperative involving all the departments,” Hockenbury said.
Police Chief Paul Valentino praised his staff for continuing to offer services under difficult conditions.
“I cannot be more proud of the men and women and how they responded to our fire,” he said.
