The City Council authorized an increase to the city’s previously allocated funds for the Irondale Community Storm Shelter after Jefferson County’s bid process identified higher costs for the project.

Councilors approved an amendment (Resolution 20 24 R-17178A) to add $21,642.70 to the city’s share based on the statutory bid results; the mayor explained the total bid came in at $621,000. He said the city had previously agreed to add about $200,000 to enlarge the shelter so it could serve more than 200 people in the event of severe weather.

Engineering and bid work identified substandard soil at the site; the contractor will remove roughly 6 feet of soil, import engineered fill, and then proceed with foundation work. The mayor said mobilization should occur within 30 to 45 days and expressed hope the shelter would be completed before the end of the calendar year.

Council members approved the item on the consent agenda. The mayor explained the process and timeline and acknowledged the larger bid total was driven in part by site conditions and alternate bid items.

Why this matters: The storm shelter is a public-safety facility intended to protect residents during severe weather; schedule and budget changes affect the timeline and city costs for a facility designed to serve the community.

What’s next: Contractors will begin site work (soil removal and replacement) as mobilization occurs; the city will move forward under the revised allocation authorized by council.