Something seems to be seriously out of whack with the City's building contract system. The current "new" city hall costs $355 per SF, the Westside service center, which is a metal building with some office space, cost more than $300 per SF and now the new fire stations cost $494 per SF and $560 per SF.
By way of contrast, Liberty Hill is just completing a new fire station on Ronald Reagan similar in size to Georgetown's two new fire stations at a cost of $429 per SF.
What is going on down at Georgetown's building department? Why are they not getting less expensive bids? Have they required too many "bells & whistles", or more expensive materials?
Inquiring minds would like to know!
Also note that the two Georgetown fire stations are being funded with Certificates of Obligation, which do not require voter approval and supposedly are to fund things with a relatively short life, <10 years. Liberty Hill issued 20 year bonds to build their fire station.
Is the city abusing the use of Certificates of Obligation?
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