The size and cost of a new headquarters for Freeman Transportation Group Inc. have increased significantly since owner Robert C. Freeman III first proposed the project, the town of Watertown Planning Board learned this week.
Mr. Freeman estimated the cost of the new facility would be about $1.5 million shortly after he purchased an 18-acre parcel between routes 232 and 11 in May.
Project manager Peter S. Clough, who presented a site plan to Planning Board members Monday, said the costs were now estimated to be much higher.
The job is still being bid on by contractors, but Mr. Clough said the building and site work alone could fall between $2 million and $3 million.
Mr. Clough, who is a partner with Four-Point Construction Management & Consulting of Watertown, put the total project costs at about $4 million.
"I think the initial number that Bob had didn't take into account all of the different facets of the project," Mr. Clough said. "His number was a rough number."
In discussions with Bernier, Carr & Associates, who prepared the preliminary building plans, the size of the facility was increased from 20,000 square feet to 26,501 square feet, for example.
An evaluation of site conditions and cost increases in paving materials also contributed to the higher estimated price tag, Mr. Clough said.
Mr. Freeman agreed that his original estimate had considered only what it would cost to build on a flat piece of land.
"The professionals showed me there was quite a slope on this property," he said. "Those were things I was somewhat oblivious to when I was first looking at it."
Planning Board members took no action Monday. There will be a public hearing on the site plan at their next meeting Sept. 8.
Freeman Transportation Group consists of Clarence Henry Coach LLC, a limousine and motor coach business, and Freeman Bus Corp., a school bus operation.
The company serves the Watertown City School District, Indian River Central School District and Community Action Planning Council programs and contracts with Lewis County to provide transportation for children with special needs.
Freeman Transportation rents three buildings; an administrative office building and storage facility at 1067 Marble St. and a maintenance facility at 122 Eames Road, behind NAPA Auto Parts on Mill Street.
The new facility will serve as Freeman Transportation Group headquarters and will unite all of the separate company elements.
According to plans presented Monday, the Route 232 location will include a maintenance facility, vehicle storage space, wash and paint bays and fitness room on the 19,217-square-foot first floor.
The second floor, at 7,284 square feet, will include offices, break rooms, a conference room and a reception area.
Plans for the facility include six maintenance bays for fleet vehicles, as well as storage for the company's limousines, motor coaches and special needs buses.
Mr. Freeman has previously said that consolidating his locations will increase company efficiency and reduce costs.
The new facility still must receive approvals from the state departments of Transportation and Environmental Conservation and Jefferson County, among others.
Should all of those approvals go through, construction of the facility is expected to start in September or October with completion projected for July.
