Troy

The city opened low bids totaling $688,277 Tuesday to transform the administration and detective offices at police headquarters into a new courtroom and judge's chambers.

The bids appeared to push the project costs slightly higher with the amount reaching $2.28 million for the overall work. The project was anticipated to cost half that much when it was first proposed in 2014.

Cost overruns have plagued the project to move the police administrative and investigative operations across the street to 1700 Sixth Ave. from headquarters at 55 State St. The new police offices are priced at $1.6 million.

The city embarked on the court/police office renovations after the state Legislature added a second full-time City Court judge. The state Office of Court Administration required the city to build courtroom and office space for the new judge. Had the city not moved ahead with the project, OCA would have taken it on and drawn on the city's state aid to pay for the new court space.

To free up space at 55 State St., the city purchased 1700 Sixth Ave.

The City Council approved borrowing $1 million to cover the additional construction costs and to provide a cash flow cushion. The city will be reimbursed $500,000 by the state for the project.

The low bidders are VMJR Construction at $398,000 for the general contract; J. McBain at $110,110 for the electrical work; Tri Valley Plumbing and Heating for the plumbing contract; and Mazzone Plumbing and Heating for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

Six bids were submitted for the general contract; six for the electrical; four for the plumbing; and six for the HVAC.

The city engineering department will review the bids before awards are made.

kcrowe@timesunion.com • 518-454-5084 • @KennethCrowe