Demolition: Sites of project are in several locations

just west of Broadway.

Randy Drew, city project manager, said work could get started within the next 20 days.

Next comes the juggling of city employee offices and traffic to make way for the demolition, particularly of the administration building where about 50 employees work.

Renovation of a leased building at 7 N Broadway, the new home for utility customer service and the finance department, which includes purchasing, payroll, treasury, accounting staff and human resources, is expected to be completed in February.

City officials purchased the 6,240-square-foot building at 1273 N Broadway to centralize information technology employees and all the city’s equipment now in three locations throughout the city.

Architect plans for the new public safety center are about 65 percent complete, said police Maj. Steve Thompson.

“Everything is going well,” Thompson said. “We are really pleased.”

The new public safety center is expected to be completed by early 2015. The price tag is estimated at $25.65 million. Designers anticipate another $2.84 million for furnishings and equipment, for an estimated cost of $28.84 million.

Construction cost for the police crime lab is estimated to be $3.14 million with another $660,000 for furnishings and equipment.

Money for the public safety center project and demolition contract will come from a half cent sales tax that was approved for five years.

Plans are to have a contractor selected by May 13, Drew said.

“I think we are coming along and making good progress,” Drew said.