Burrillville officials mull contract for new public works headquarters

BURRILLVILLE – The Burrillville Town Council this week could award $3.6 million contract to a Warwick construction firm for third phase work on the town’s new $5 million public works complex on Clear River Drive, which includes a new 27,000-square-foot DPW building complete with expanded office space and truck bays.

At a meeting scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m., the council will consider a motion to award a $3,478,156 contract to E.W. Burman, Inc. for the project’s interior building fit out. The contract includes a 5 percent contingency allowance of $173,900 for unseen conditions or added value options for a total contract amount of $3,652,056.

This is the last phase of the project, which began in 2016, and is expected to be completed this year. The second phase of the project was completed last year by Tower Construction Corporation, which was awarded a $1.4 million contract to construct the foundation and building envelope.

The town is self-funding the project, which received $5 million from the 2016 and 2017 capital improvement plan budgets.

The Department of Public Works has outgrown its current building at 65 Union Avenue in Harrisville and is expanding its operations at a new location on Clear River Drive between the former

landfill and Central Street.

The goal is to build a facility that will serve the town’s public works needs for years to come, including a minimum of 14 large truck bays, six small truck spaces, three mechanical bays, and ample storage and offices to suit the current number of employees

sharing tight quarters.

The project will also include a new salt shed and fuel depot.

The complex was designed by Providence-based Ed Wojcik Architect, Ltd.

The building site was actually selected eight years ago, but it wasn’t until 2013 that the Town Council listed the project as one of its goals and objectives. A feasibility study was conducted in 2014 and approval to move forward with designs plans was grant-

ed by the council in 2015.

Department of Pubic Works Director Jeffrey M. McCormick said the current 13,000-square-foot DPW building that sits on 1.2 acres in the midst of a residential neighborhood on Union Street is deteriorating and no longer meets the needs of the department. The existing front office and garage was built in 1946 and the back garage was built in 1960.

According to McCormick, the buildings’ concrete, inte-

rior steel columns and floors are deteriorating; there’s no insulation or bathrooms; and there’s limited space and poor air quality.

Both the salt shed and fuel depot are in good condition and may or may not be moved to the new location on Clear River Drive.

McCormick has proposed a few preliminary options for the existing site, including using the area for storage or demolishing the structures and eventually selling the

property.

The new site is located between the former (capped) landfill and Central Street and there is green space and a power line easement as a buffer between the proposed new DPW facility and residents living on Central Street.

The proposed 27,000-square-foot building, described by McCormick as “simple and sleek,” will have a new office and mechanics space; a carpentry shop; room for 25 to 28 trucks; attic space and storage for supplies and truck parts; a reception area, conference room and electric data room; two bathrooms (including one with shower facilities); and a break room, utility room and bunk room.

The estimated price tag for the entire complex is $4 million for the building; $140,000 for the salt shed; $160 for the fuel depot; and $700,000 for site clearing and preparation.