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.

E.L. Crawford, the general contractor, is on track to complete the project in mid-January. This will be the ambulance service’s third facility when completed. One is located in midtown on South 10th Street near Olive Street, and the other is on the South Side at 824 W. Hyde Park.

Creal Clark and Seifert Architects and Engineers designed the building to make the ambulance service more efficient. There will be a ready bay with two ambulances set for dispatch in the new facility.

The emergency medical service is operating a fleet of 11 ambulances, including four REMSA recently bought.

The vehicle bays have been designed so the ambulances won’t have to have their engines running until they are dispatched, Patrick said. This will save on gasoline costs and engine wear and tear, he said.

The new dispatch center will have four dispatch consoles and a backup electrical generator.

Built into the facility will be a 12-foot-by-12-foot emergency room with a backup communications station. The room will meet Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirements for a tornado shelter.

There also will be an automated dispensary system for medical supplies.

Another ambulance took the occupants of the ambulance to Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Temple with what Roberts termed nonincapacitating injuries. Further information about them was not available Sunday.