Comstock Township approves $11.0 million contract for Fire Station 93, OKs related architectural work
July 20, 2026 | Comstock Northwest, Kalamazoo County, Michigan
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The Charter Township of Comstock Board voted July 20 to award the Fire Station 93 construction contract to the CSM Group for up to $11,000,146.57 and authorized phase‑3 architectural services with JPR for $111,760 to handle construction administration and site visits.
Deputy Chief Kevin Thompson urged the board to select CSM, saying the firm “received the highest qualification score and the best adjusted price” and offered the strongest overall value for the Station 93 project. Assistant Chief Mike Bealman told the board the lowest dollar bid is not always the best long‑term choice for a public‑safety facility, saying, “being fiscally responsible doesn't always mean choosing the cheapest option.”
Board materials and staff (S2) showed the contractor evaluation used a price‑adjusted scoring method and noted CSM and another bidder had high proportions of local subcontractors. The staff presentation referenced a 15‑year capital improvement plan tied to the bond financing and said the township does not plan an increase in the fire capital assessment rate as a result of the project.
Trustees approved the CSM contract on a roll call vote: Trustee Pratt, Trustee Cherry, Clerk Beauchamp, Treasurer Bloomfield and Trustee MacGyver voted yes; Trustee Amos and Supervisor Martin voted no. The motion to recommend approval of the CSM Group bid was recorded as carried.
On a separate motion, the board approved entering a phase‑3 architectural services agreement with JPR for $111,760 to provide construction administration, biweekly site visits and field reports. The JPR motion passed on roll call with a majority in favor.
The board and fire officials repeatedly emphasized long‑term reliability, training capability and facility features such as living quarters and a training tower as factors in evaluating proposals. The approved contracts and services move the Station 93 project into the construction phase under the previously approved bond financing.
The board will administer the contract and the architectural services under its procurement and bond oversight procedures; further project updates were promised in subsequent staff reports.
Deputy Chief Kevin Thompson urged the board to select CSM, saying the firm “received the highest qualification score and the best adjusted price” and offered the strongest overall value for the Station 93 project. Assistant Chief Mike Bealman told the board the lowest dollar bid is not always the best long‑term choice for a public‑safety facility, saying, “being fiscally responsible doesn't always mean choosing the cheapest option.”
Board materials and staff (S2) showed the contractor evaluation used a price‑adjusted scoring method and noted CSM and another bidder had high proportions of local subcontractors. The staff presentation referenced a 15‑year capital improvement plan tied to the bond financing and said the township does not plan an increase in the fire capital assessment rate as a result of the project.
Trustees approved the CSM contract on a roll call vote: Trustee Pratt, Trustee Cherry, Clerk Beauchamp, Treasurer Bloomfield and Trustee MacGyver voted yes; Trustee Amos and Supervisor Martin voted no. The motion to recommend approval of the CSM Group bid was recorded as carried.
On a separate motion, the board approved entering a phase‑3 architectural services agreement with JPR for $111,760 to provide construction administration, biweekly site visits and field reports. The JPR motion passed on roll call with a majority in favor.
The board and fire officials repeatedly emphasized long‑term reliability, training capability and facility features such as living quarters and a training tower as factors in evaluating proposals. The approved contracts and services move the Station 93 project into the construction phase under the previously approved bond financing.
The board will administer the contract and the architectural services under its procurement and bond oversight procedures; further project updates were promised in subsequent staff reports.
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