The Jefferson County Health Department will seek construction bids soon for its new Hillsboro office, according to Jim Huber, principal and design coordinator for Archimages of Kirkwood.
During the July 27 Health Department Board of Trustees meeting, Huber said drawings for the 19,957-square-foot, one-story building are complete and the company is ready to solicit requests for proposals from construction companies to build it.
In February 2021, the Health Department purchased 7.75 acres of land near highways 21 and B in the Pear Tree Plaza bordering Hillsboro City Park to build a larger building to replace the agency’s current 70-year-old, 9,810-square-foot office at 405 Main St. The Health Department awarded a $705,250 contract to the Archimages planning, architecture and interior design firm in April 2022 to design and oversee construction.
During the presentation, Health Department board president Tim Pigg told Archimages that the board wants to hold an informal town hall meeting at the Health Department’s current Hillsboro office so residents can look at the drawings and a virtual walk-through video of the building to be constructed.
The town hall meeting will be 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, and Archimages will wait until after the town hall to seek RFPs, Health Department Executive Director Kelley Vollmar said Monday.
Huber said when Archimages seeks RFPs, the company would give construction companies four weeks to return the proposals. Then Archimages will open the bids and give the board a recommendation.
He said construction could begin in early fall and be finished in 10-12 months, depending on weather.
Board member Suzy Davis asked Huber several questions as he presented the drawings and the virtual walk-through to the board. Davis asked if the building would have more than one level.
Initially, the agency’s plans called for a 24,000-square-foot, two-story building with a 9,000-square-foot-garage or maintenance building.
Huber explained there would be no basement, and the building would include just one level “to try to stay in our budget.”
He said a two-story building would probably cost twice as much.
Pigg said the plans for the building are about as frugal as they can be.
For example, Huber said it looks like no new soil would need to be brought to the site, adding that dirt they dig up at the site will be used elsewhere on the site.
“We are trying to use your money wisely,” he said.
Huber said parking will be located in front of the building. Behind the building will be a canopy to use for activities like car seat testing and mass vaccinations and testing. Next to the canopy is an uncovered parking lot for the Health Department’s fleet.
Davis also asked about the size of the room where the board will meet, and Huber estimated it would be about 1,100 square feet, about two and a half times larger than the current boardroom.
The Health Department has a preliminary $10 million budget for design and construction of the office, officials have said.
Steve Sikes, deputy director of the agency’s operations, has said the agency needs an updated building with more space for employees and more parking.
Vollmar said Archimages will be involved in every step of the building process.
“They will ensure construction is done according to the approved plans and review invoices along with JCHD before payment is made,” she said. “If needed, Archimages will assist in potential change orders during construction.”
Once the new building is completed, the agency will sell its Main Street location, Vollmar said.
The department also has an office in Arnold, at 1818 Lonedell Road.