Renovation of a fire / police facility in North Smithfield, Rhode Island. Completed plans call for the renovation of a 15,000-square-foot fire / police facility.

https://turnto10.com/politics/north-smithfield-approves-9m-safety-complex-bonds-as-warwick-rejects-50m-schools-plan-february-3-2026 North Smithfield approves $9M safety complex bonds _______________ https://www.valleybreeze.com/news/north-smithfield-residents-will-vote-on-9-million-bond-in-february/article_1c632133-6f2c-4f32-96ef-c72b4c8fdbb3.html North Smithfield residents will vote on $9 million bond in February NORTH SMITHFIELD – Next Feb. 3, town residents will vote on the approval of a $9 million bond to construct, rehabilitate, and improve the town’s public safety complex. Last week, the Town Council held a public hearing and second reading of the bond ordinance, though no residents spoke on it. Councilors unanimously voted to adopt the ordinance for the bond. However, they emphasized that voter approval is necessary in order for the town to issue the bonds. Pending voter approval in February, the town will also have the authority to take any action necessary to keep bonds tax-exempt, and will be able to borrow at more favorable interest rates, said Ellen Corneau, bond counsel for North Smithfield and partner at Savage Law Partners. Town Councilor Rebecca DeCristofaro noted that just because a $9 million bond is approved doesn’t mean all $9 million will definitely be issued or utilized. “I’m hearing that people are nervous about this bond because they think in us accepting or approving this ordinance, it means that we’re going to definitively use the bond at $9 million dollars,” she stated. “We are not, at this juncture, making any decisions on our funding strategy. We’re not discussing whether it’s hybrid, we’re not discussing whether it’s 100 percent funded by the bond, it’s not up for discussion at this point. We are solely approving this ordinance,” DeCristofaro added. That being said, DeCristofaro added that she does not feel comfortable proposing or approving a bond lower than $9 million. Just in case there are unforeseen challenges or complications during the construction process, DeCristofaro said she does not want to risk depleting the town’s general fund. Other councilors agreed, with Corneau noting that recent construction projects almost never come in under budget. At present, officials say they do not have a cost estimate on the project, however by January, they hope to have a guaranteed maximum price. The initial draft of the ordinance permitted the director of finance, council president, and town administrator to set terms, details, and conditions of the bonds. The language was updated to indicate that funding strategies should be discussed and determined collectively by the council. Councilors clarified that the “public safety complex” is the new police station, but it will continue to be referred to as a “public safety complex” for the sake of continuity ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- https://www.valleybreeze.com/news/north-smithfield-council-seeks-clarity-as-police-station-renovation-process-moves-ahead/article_61254fa5-990f-471d-98ab-488c1039b5d5.html North Smithfield council seeks clarity as police station renovation process moves ahead NORTH SMITHFIELD – The Town Council voted Monday to accept a consultant’s recommendation naming Pariseault Builders as construction manager for the planned North Smithfield Police Station renovation, advancing a long-awaited overhaul of the aging headquarters at 575 Smithfield Road. ECC Corporation Senior Project Manager Brian Frigon said Pariseault ranked highest among four firms evaluated under the town’s Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) process, which emphasizes qualifications, pricing accuracy, and project approach. The CMAR model allows a contractor to assist with design and budgeting before construction begins, then locks in a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) once work starts. “After scoring each firm on qualifications, interviews, and pricing, Pariseault came out with the highest overall ranking,” Frigon said. “About 75 to 80 percent of their estimate came directly from subcontractor input, which gives us a strong comfort level with their numbers.” Pariseault’s preliminary estimate came in just under $8.9 million, well below Gilbane Building Company’s projection, which was roughly 40 percent higher. Councilor John Beauregard said he wanted to ensure the town isn’t caught off guard later by higher costs, while Town Administrator Scott Gibbs emphasized that Monday’s vote did not award a contract. “We still have to go through pre-construction work to get a hard guaranteed maximum price,” Gibbs said. “Tonight’s vote simply accepts the consultant’s recommendation.” Councilor Rebecca DeCristofaro said the town owes residents transparency about how the project cost has evolved from an initial $4.4 million estimate in 2024 to an estimated $6 million projected in August, then to the new estimate from Pariseault that’s almost $9 million. “We owe it to our constituents to understand what transpired between then and now,” she said. According to the town’s official bid documents, the renovation will modernize about 15,000 square feet of space while keeping police operations running through a carefully-staged construction plan. A preliminary “swing space” layout shows patrol, locker, and evidence-processing areas being relocated in phases to allow uninterrupted public safety service. The work will include building-envelope repairs, HVAC and electrical upgrades, interior reconfiguration, and hazmat abatement, with optional add-ons such as a new sally port, elevator, and parking-lot improvements. The projected schedule indicates a construction start date by late 2025 and substantial completion by the end of August 2026, and full completion by the fall. Those dates have not changed since first published this summer. Originally built in 1929 as the former Bushee School, the building has seen only limited improvements since becoming the town’s police station decades ago. Gibbs has described the project as essential to maintaining safe, functional operations for a department that has outgrown its space and struggles with outdated infrastructure. Financially, Gibbs said the town remains in position to fund the project without increasing taxes. He’s previously noted that the town is considering a hybrid financing plan, combining available reserves with bonding authority. If borrowing is required, a public bond hearing is scheduled for Dec. 1, with a possible special election in February 2026. “We’re paying off debt very quickly now,” Gibbs said at a council meeting last month. “We could do this without any impact on taxpayers and still be more than half below where we currently are in our debt carry costs.” The council will reconvene Monday, Nov. 10, for a budget workshop to review updated figures, financing options, and next steps before considering a formal pre-construction contract, expected to total about $17,000. ------------------ Reference Number 0000392746 Building Area: Approx. 15,000 Sq. Ft. Approximate Area of Building Renovation: Construction Duration: 12 Months* Phased Renovation Question Deadline 08/19/2025 at 9:00 AM ET Submit questions by email only to sourabh.patil@ecccorporation.com Package(s) must be labeled on the outside with the following: "SOQP for Construction Management Services North Smithfield Public Safety Complex Renovation Project List Construction Management Firm Name, Business Address and Telephone Number.