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Regional Shelter-Clinic Gets High Priority
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Published: June 24, 2008
NEW PORT RICHEY -- Construction of a regional hurricane shelter and health clinic in Pasco County got high priority today.
The Pasco County Commission on Tuesday approved hiring Holiday-based Spring Engineering and Bandes Construction Co., in Land O' Lakes, to design and construct the shelter in a joint venture. The Central Pasco facility is slated to be completed by fall 2009.
If costs turn out to be lower than the $7.5 million bid or more grant money becomes available, the county might be able to afford to construct the shelter to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards. Meeting the LEED requirements in constructing the shelter would cost roughly $360,000.
"Time is of the essence," Commissioner Ann Hildebrand remarked.
"I know it's important we get this started," Commissioner Pat Mulieri commented.
Because money from the state and federal governments is paying for the project, construction is "time sensitive" because of expiration dates in these grants, Senior Assistant County Attorney Jane M. Fagan reported.
The contractors will get the notice to proceed shortly after commissioners approved hiring the firm, Fagan explained. Usually there is a lag time of several weeks before the notice is given, she said.
The county wants to have the shelter "substantially complete" by Aug. 1, 2009, and finished by Nov. 27, 2009.
The firms capped their price to build the facility at $7,501,533, Fagan continued.
The bid price, however, is based on construction standards meant to ensure a shelter can withstand winds up to 200 mph, Fagan said. After the bid was submitted, federal authorities granted permission to build some Florida projects to withstand slightly lower hurricane winds, he said.
So the contractors will be required to update the shelter's design within 45 days, Fagan said. Any impact on the construction cost will be known by that time.
Commissioner Jack Mariano was eager for the county to choose the construction option that would make the shelter conform to the LEED "green" standards.
Carl Orth can be reached at 727-815-1068 or corth@suncoastnews.com.
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