The cost of renovating the city's Albion Road fire station has risen by more than 12 percent since the project started this summer. Earlier this year, City Council hired Seitz Builders Inc. in Broadview Heights to repair and renovate the Albion station, one of four fire stations in town, at a cost of $586,900.
As of last week, the cost has climbed to $659,000. Council has approved 11 change orders for the project.
Fire Chief Jack Draves said the unexpected and additional costs aren't surprising, considering the station was built in the late 1970's and early 1980's.
"The construction methods and materials are different (today), and it makes sense to upgrade to more-efficient appliances and equipment," Draves said in an email to cleveland.com. "As with any remodeling project, there are many hidden issues and they are not discovered until you get into the project."
Seitz's low bid - and the potential for change orders that would drive up costs - was a concern of some council members in July, before council accepted Seitz's bid. The other five bids ranged from $611,700 to $842,780.