Cohasset Public Safety Building Costs Rise to $26.9 Million as Project Details Emerge
Town officials present updated estimates for King Street facility, citing structural upgrades and equipment needs as residents question transparency and scope changes.
COHASSET - August 5 - The proposed public safety building project at 135 King Street has grown from an initial estimate of $10.4 million to $26.9 million, town officials told the Cohasset Select Board Tuesday night during a detailed presentation on the project's current status.
Dan Pallotta, the town's Owner's Project Manager, explained that the increase stems from comprehensive design work and necessary structural upgrades to convert the former office building into a police station and fire substation.
"The construction estimate for the building, which includes a two-bay substation for the fire department, is $19,780,312," Pallotta said. When combined with architectural fees, construction administration, and furniture, fixtures and equipment, the total project cost reaches $26,898,143.
Town Manager Chris Senior provided tax impact projections based on the new estimates. For the median home, the annual cost would be $517 at a 5% interest rate or $472 at a 4% rate when the project reaches full debt service in fiscal year 2028.
This represents an increase of $251 to $296 from the original projection of $221 for the median home.
Select Board member Paul Grady opened the meeting with an apology for the cost increase. "This project stirred up a bit of a hornet's nest," Grady said. "We saw a building on King Street for $2.5 million that we thought was the best bet to grab and try to get it as fast as possible with a best guess estimate of $10.4 million. For that, I apologize."
The building purchase was completed in April for $2.4 million, which officials say will save the town $5,195,000 compared to new construction costs.
Pallotta detailed the challenges of converting the office building to meet public safety requirements. The structure needs significant reinforcement to meet hurricane-resistant construction standards required for emergency services that operate 24 hours regardless of weather conditions.
"This building needed to be stiffened up and that required some work," Pallotta said. The floor-to-ceiling height also prevented installation of a sally port within the existing structure, requiring an addition on the right side of the building.
The project includes a 4,330-square-foot police addition and a 3,000-square-foot fire addition, plus renovation of the existing 13,843-square-foot building. Construction costs average $723 per square foot for renovations and approximately $1,000 per square foot for new additions.
"Today, construction projects all in for public safety are $1,300 a square foot," Pallotta said. "We are in better shape by purchasing the building."
Several residents raised concerns about the project's scope and transparency during public comment. Will Ashton, a construction project management professional, questioned what he called "scope creep" and design inefficiencies.
"What we have now is a design that nearly triples the footprint of public safety, taking us from 13,000 square feet to 36,000 square feet," Ashton said. He cited amenities including a private bathroom for the police chief, 37 lockers for 20 staff, and a $3 million furniture budget that he said exceeds industry standards.
Cassandra Buchka asked pointed questions about the project timeline and decision-making process. "Why was the original $10.4 million figure put forward if the project team lacked the capacity or information to assess what the facility would actually require?" she asked.
Town officials emphasized that bids will be received before any funding request goes to voters. Pallotta said the town will receive sub-contractor bids by the end of August and general contractor bids in mid-September.
"We decided to bid the project prior to going to town meeting to ensure there were no surprises for the residents of Cohasset," Pallotta said.
Dan Tarpey, a member of the project working group, defended the need for the facility, particularly citing emergency response times to areas west of the train tracks where youth sports facilities are located.
"An ambulance coming from its present location on Elm Street can be delayed from anywhere from two to three minutes, depending upon which gate they're approaching," Tarpey said. "If that's my son or daughter up on one of those playing fields who has a medical emergency, I don't care what the cost is."
Select Board Chair Ellen Maher announced plans for additional public forums and encouraged residents to tour the existing facilities at 62 Elm Street to understand current conditions.
"When you get in and you see where things are stored and you see where the gear that the firemen have to wear has to go to be decontaminated and it's out in the open, it was shocking," Maher said.
The board also addressed other major agenda items Tuesday night, including updates on road paving projects, drainage improvements following July flooding, and a decision not to pursue connection to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority system.
Town officials presented a comprehensive business plan for the Recycling and Transfer Facility, proposing to increase the unified beach and RTF sticker from $75 to $150 for the first vehicle. The proposal also includes fee increases for disposal bags and a pilot program allowing up to 300 non-residents to purchase RTF-only stickers for $300.
The RTF fee discussion will continue at the board's next meeting on Aug. 19, with officials seeking to address a $500,000 operational funding gap after voters rejected an enterprise fund proposal at town meeting.