Manager selected for police department project

By Grace Lovins

The Birmingham Police Department is one step closer to getting much-needed upgrades after city commissioners approved the awarding of a construction manager contract during the Monday, April 13, meeting, to Sachse Construction.

Renovations are anticipated to be broken into two phases and total between $1 million and $1.3 million.

Police chief Scott Grewe explained that the department is aware of four different construction projects that are necessary for the safety and security of the department: adding a sally port to the rear of the building; expanding the dispatch center; creating an evidence storage garage and expanding their current garage space; and moving the interview room and prisoner release area.

Grewe said architects for the project were hired through the bidding process in October 2025. The city released another request for proposals (RFP) on March 5, closing on April 1, to hire a construction manager for the project. He said they received five bids total, but two bids did not include the correct cost proposal form.

After reviewing the proposals with the MCD Architects, the contracted architecture firm, as well as the city’s building department, Grewe recommended Sachse Construction for the contract at a bid of $269,347.

Rick Stanza, pre-construction manager for Sachse, said the firm will facilitate the pre-construction phase of the project and put together cost estimates as the project takes shape. He said he will stay involved once construction begins to help with meetings and facilitate on-site workers.

The estimated timeline for the project, per Grewe, shows that the commission will review the construction designs during the April 27 meeting, with construction of Phase I beginning in June. Phase I will include the moving of the interview room, expansion of the garage and construction of evidence storage.

He said he would return to the commission between June and July for approval of expenditures for Phase II of the project, which he anticipates beginning in July. Phase II is set to include the installation of a sally port and expansion of the dispatch center.

City commissioners ultimately voted unanimously, 7-0, to award Sachse Construction with the construction manager contract.