NORTH SMITHFIELD – Despite objections by some previously involved with the project, an architectural firm that provided designed plans for renovations to the North Smithfield Police Station almost a decade ago is back on the job, with the Town Council voting to spend roughly $41,000 for the services.
Eric Army formerly of Studio Meja, which has since rebranded as Signal Works, was back before the board this week to discuss picking up where the business left off in 2016.
The vote to retain the firm on Wednesday, July 24 brings full circle an issue that has been at the heart of disputes between town factions for years. Army’s firm was initially hired by the Public Buildings Improvement Commission years ago to design plans for renovation of the building at 575 Smithfield Road with the help of a bond approved by voters in 2014.
But the town changed course following an election in 2016, with a new Town Council dismissing both Army and the town’s volunteer board, saying funding for the project was insufficient and the architect too inexperienced. The Municipal Building Review Task Force took the place of the PBIC and hired Tecton Architects as the new design firm for police headquarters.
Tecton’s work resulted in a proposal for an $18 million bond to instead demolish the structure, a deteriorating building originally built as a school, and to construct a new home for the police department.
But a ballot question on the matter was rejected by North Smithfield voters last year.
Members of the MBRTF resigned following the failure of their efforts, and in the months since, councilors have used existing funds to address urgently needed repairs to the roof and exterior of the building. Several problems still remain, however, including the structure’s lack of a sally port, and improvements are needed for holding cells, security, locker rooms, HVAC, IT, asbestos abatement and more.
Fortunately, some funding, including money from the bond approved in 2014, still remains. The town has additionally acquired $125,000 for improvements to the HVAC system and a $1 million grant for improvements was acquired last year.
On Monday, Army addressed the council by phone, answering questions regarding the latest round of proposed services.
“Are these plans executable in their current state?” asked Councilor Douglas Osier of the firm’s design from 2016.
Army said he would update the previous plans using the same team as before with intent to stabilize building and hit the highest priorities.
“We know things have changed in eight years,” Army said. “We’re not going to do exactly what we had drawn back in 2016.”
Prior to the meeting, former MBRTF member David Chamberland weighed in with objections to reengaging the firm.
“There is absolutely no advantage to the taxpayers of this town to engage with an architectural firm who had and still has no experience in police station/safety complex design nor is it a wise decision,” noted Chamberland. “And to also move forward with any level of renovations contemplated for the old Bushee School and existing accommodations for the current police department, is a terrible decision for the taxpayers.”
“This is not a true police station now nor can it ever become a true police station and meet the needs and safety of the town of North Smithfield,” added Chamberland. “If this town does any more than spend money for cosmetic modifications, it’s wasted money.”
Councilor John Beauregard expressed some of the same sentiments on Monday, but noted also that something needs to happen following rejection of the bond.
“I was willing to go out for a bond for $18 million because I knew the condition of this police station, which is why I’m hesitant to pour more good money after bad into this,” said Beauregard. However, he added, “I understand, the bond lost, so now we have to make the place as comfortable and safe as we can for the police.”
Both Beauregard and Osier questioned the need for additional design plans.
“It sounds like we’re just repeating ourselves again in a lot of areas,” said Osier. “We’ve spent a lot of money on designs.”
Army noted that the current needs assessment on file for the station, put together by Tecton, was for an $18 million building.
“I understand, any time projects start and stop it’s really frustrating,” said Army.
Beauregard questioned why the town couldn’t simply start hiring contractors.
“If we already know those priorities, why do we need an architect?” he asked. “We can actually go out to bid and get those things done without the expense of an architect.”
But Councilor Paulette Hamilton said the board could wind up frustrated with a piecemeal approach, and questioned how the town would get the bid specs without someone taking the lead.
“How would you do it?” she asked Beauregard. “Who’s going to do the bid? We have to have someone determine the bid specs. I don’t know how to do that.”
On the question of wasted design plans Hamilton added, “He’s using that information. It’s not like he’s going to start from scratch.”
Council President Kimberly Alves agreed, noting the current council needs to make progress before time runs out and a new board takes over following the November election.
“It just needs to be done,” said Alves. “We need to get the building up and running. Now we’ll actually have a budget we can stick to and a plan we can stick to.”
Councilors voted 4-1 to move forward with Signal Works, with Beauregard casting the only dissent.
