Architect Reveals Ledyard Police Station Cost Estimates

Members of the Municipal Building Committee Monday got a first look at costs to build the proposed police station and to everyone’s surprise, it won’t be an easy choice – for now.

Architect Brian Humes of Jacunski Humes Architects said 2013 will be very difficult year to anticipate construction costs. He said general inflation and the prices of gas and oil are affecting construction costs. The costs are not final, Humes presented the committee with prices that include some assumptions that can be adjusted.

The cost information for three sites below includes hard costs, soft costs and 10 percent project contingency:

The Ledyard Center site is estimated to cost $6,461,946. The site work, including drainage, sewer, etc. will cost $1.4 million. The building itself will cost $3.665,318 million, which is just less than $300 a square foot.

Building the police station on J. Alfred Clark Way would cost an estimated $6,282,971. That’s assuming that the town extends a water line and would possibly add a sprinkler system, which could be reduced if they dig a well. The building construction costs will cost the same as in Ledyard Center although the design district standards will not apply and other costs could be reduced.

Building at the former Gales Ferry School site is estimated to cost $5,962,000. The architects figured that they’d have to renovate 20 percent more because the station would be confined to one level.

“I think you have three sites and now it’s up to you to make a decision,” said Humes.

The committee is now tasked with sharpening their pencils and to make a recommendation to the Town Council in the very near future.