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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Medford council votes to build only two new fire stations because of cost overruns ... Pot activists make impassioned plea to council ... VIDEO: Cannabis advocates speak against Medford's proposed growing ban ... Medford council votes to build only two new fire stations because of cost overruns ... Pot activists make impassioned plea to council ... VIDEO: Cannabis advocates speak against Medford's proposed growing ban ... MEDFORD Medford council votes to build only two new fire stations because of cost overruns Votes to build only two fire stations due to cost overruns By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Nov. 19, 2015 @ 5:07 pm By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Nov. 19, 2015 @ 5:07 pm » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> The Medford City Council today nervously approved a $7.15 million contract with Adroit Construction Co. of Ashland that paves the way for construction of two new fire stations. “I feel like I’m being asked to make another leap of faith,” Councilor Chris Corcoran said. The council wanted to build a new police headquarters and three new fire stations, but cost overruns have plagued both projects, which will cost $32 million in bonds, paid through higher utility fees. As a result, the council decided to finish the new police headquarters and build only two new fire stations, one on Table Rock Road and the other in west Medford. Corcoran and others on the council expressed “shaky confidence” over whether change orders or unforeseen issues would pop up that could add more costs to the projects. Councilor Dick Gordon said that as an example, the plans for the new police headquarters failed to account for electrical outlets in one room. “We keep on getting surprises on costs,” he said. Some councilors wanted to build only one fire station, while others wanted to see whether the stations could be put out to bid in hopes of getting a better price. Councilors Gordon, Tim Jackle and Clay Bearnson voted against the contract. Once the city builds the two new fire stations, it will have only $600,000 left over, which is not enough to build a third fire station. The council also approved paying Ogden Roemer Wilkerson Architecture another $135,000 because the company had to redesign the fire stations to help bring down costs. A breakdown of the costs so far for the fire stations includes $22,500 in pre-construction costs, $250,000 in establishing temporary quarters for firefighters on Table Rock and $7.15 million for actual construction of the fire stations. Furniture, lockers and other expenses will bring the total to $9.096 million. Within the total cost is $450,000 for contingencies. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at @reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Nov. 19, 2015 @ 5:07 pm » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501