PORT TOWNSEND — The City Council unanimously approved adding $31,250 in additional costs to the historic City Hall renovation project, allowing installation of a sprinkler system.
The $5.2 million City Hall renovation and annex construction project broke ground in January with a $750,000 budget shortfall.
City Manager David Timmons requested the council’s permission to add to the deficit to install a fire suppression system.
On Tuesday, council members Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, Laurie Medlicott, Kees Kolff and Frank Benskin voted in favor of the request.
Geoff Masci and Freida Fenn were absent.
“With this approval the historic portion of the project will be sprinkled,” Timmons said.
Annex already sprinkled
Construction plans already include a sprinkler system for the 11,700-square-foot annex, which is scheduled for completion in December.
The approval is timely as Bellingham-based Dawson Construction crews are beginning to remove and replace the roof of the 114-year-old building, Timmons said.
If the council delayed sprinkler installation, future costs would have been more, city officials said.
Timmons also commended the contractor and reported that, aside from the sprinkler request, the project remained within budget.
“It’s remarkable that we’re still within the 5 percent contingency fund,” Timmons said.
As the renovation part nears completion, the contingency fund has dried up, Timmons said.
The city manager plans to close the $780,000 gap by issuing capital bonds later this year.