Mandan will move forward with building a new southeast fire station for just over $1 million, it was decided by the city commission at its Tuesday meeting.

Fire chief Steve Nardello said that the new fire station had been in planning ever since he arrived, about five years ago. Last year, the city called for bids, but the facility came in well over the $950,000 that had been set aside and was put on the back burner.

Architect Al Fitterer was called in and changes were made to the nearly 8,000 square foot building, reducing its cost to $1,030,000. It was determined that there were funds available in the fire department's capital construction budget for the building.

Nardello said that fire and medical response times and distance to southeast Mandan from the Collins Avenue Station are well beyond what is recommended by national fire and insurance organizations. Mitzel Builders had donated the land at the corner of 40th Avenue and 19th Street southeast for the fire station.

The fire department does have a reserve fire engine that it shares with public works, a hazardous material trailer, fire prevention trailer and brush truck to equip the new station, according to Nardello. He also said he feels that with the institution of the new junior fire fighter program, he can find the necessary volunteers to man the station along with the career fire fighters to maintain the equipment and facilities.

Commissioner Tim Helbling said that the city wasn't going to have to borrow the money for the facility and enough had been set aside for its construction. He made the motion to move forward with the fire station and award the work to the lowest bidders which were Professional Contractors, Inc., Advanced Mechanical and Electric Systems.

Nardello said that $25,000 has been budgeted for furniture, which includes signage, a flag pole, sprinkling system and appliances. If costs need to be shaved, Nardello added, this would be one possible area.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)