USBR to finish Grand Coulee firehouse

GRAND COULEE — The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced Thursday it has reached an agreement to finish construction of the Grand Coulee Fire Station following two previous contract terminations with construction companies, according to a USBR press release.

The 22,000-square-foot station is expected to cost $14.2 million, and should take about 12-18 months to complete once construction begins, the bureau said, noting that a construction schedule has yet to be set.

According to the bureau, the contract was originally awarded in 2016 for $13.6 million with completion set for mid-2018. However, construction contracts were canceled twice and the bureau was forced into lengthy and complex negotiations with the insurer providing surety coverage in order to complete the project, according to the press release.

The new fire station is designed to provide protection for USBR properties and facilities and assist local communities and will be located near the junction of S.R. 155 and B Street.