Council approves $4.2 million contract for renovations to multiple fire stations; some stations excluded

Charleston City Council approved a $4.2 million contract with Persinger and Associates to renovate and add to multiple fire stations across the city.

The contract, awarded after a competitive bid process and negotiation with the low bidder, covers renovation work on several stations identified by the city’s assessment of facilities. The finance committee reported the contract and recommended approval.

Councilmember Jenkins told colleagues the city negotiated a $187,000 reduction from the initial bid by removing items such as construction trailers that were deemed unnecessary, noting: “The city was able to negotiate a $187,000 reduction, with a few minor modifications to some of the, bid specs that were initially made.”

During discussion members sought clarity on the number of stations included. Jenkins and the mayor said the contract package covers work at multiple stations; council was told the city has eight fire stations, six are part of the ongoing project and five are included in this particular Persinger contract package. Council members and staff clarified that Fire Stations 6 and 7 were not included in the current contract package and that Station 6 “cannot be repaired” and must be replaced, a condition the council was told had prompted the city to purchase nearby lots for a replacement facility.

The council adopted Resolution 25-090 on the recommendation of the finance committee. Council recorded no roll-call vote in the discussion transcript; the mayor declared the resolution adopted.