The Hawaii Fire Department is asking for another $6 million to build a new station on Haihai Street in Hilo.
The 12,000-square-foot facility will replace a smaller and aging fire house on Kawailani Street. It will serve Panaewa makai to Waiakea Uka, according to the project’s environmental assessment.
The document, completed last year, estimated the cost at $5.9 million, but the projected pricetag has since nearly doubled to $11.2 million following an additional cost assessment, said David Yamamoto, Public Works building division chief, who is overseeing the project.
The County Council previously approved a $6 million allocation and is being asked to approve another allotment, said Melanio Lorenzo, Fire Department accountant. The council will review the request at its meeting Tuesday in Kailua-Kona.
Bids will open Nov. 8, Yamamoto said. Construction could take between 200 and 300 days.
But why such a huge increase in cost?
Yamamoto said the EA’s cost estimate was based on construction of the Makalei fire station in Kona in 2012. That 11,000-square-foot station cost $7 million, the county said.
“Afterward a consultant had their estimator go through the process of preparing an actual estimate of construction. They came up with $11.2 million,” he said.
Yamamoto added, “It’s like a shot in the dark” and depends on the availability of contractors.
“These estimators, they are basically consultants that focus in on construction bids.”
The actual cost will depend on bids the county receives.
The Fire Department says the new facility is needed to expand emergency medical services and because of impacts from planned widening of Kawailani Street.
The new station would be built on state land at the corner of Haihai Street and Laula Road.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
