Fire Station project to start Summer 2026

5 months, 3 weeks ago

Carl A. Nelson & Company awarded contract for construction management of new satellite fire station.

A new northside fire station is closer to reality in Burlington, Iowa, after the City Council unanimously approved a construction management agreement with Carl A. Nelson & Company (CANCO) to lead the project.

"I'm fired up," Burlington Mayor Jon Billups said after the council voted to approve CANCO's CM contract, as well as a design contract with Klingner & Associates. "Let's go."

The agreements mark a new positive milestone for the project to expand ambulance, fire and other emergency services coverage that will reduce response times in northwest Burlington and nearby rural areas. Although a $7 million bond was approved in 2024 to fund the project, work has been delayed by a year due to design and budget issues that last summer led the city to pursue new project leadership. Since then, the CANCO team has consulted with city and Burlington Fire Department officials to rein in the plan and bring it back to affordability, leading to the council's dual 5-0 votes on Dec. 15, 2025, to approve the new CM and design contracts.

"It's just great that they're both local," Councilman Tim Scott said. "Absolutely great."

With contracts in place, CANCO Project Manager Tad Morrow said design efforts will shift into full gear. Construction documents and bid specifications will be ready for approval in April, allowing contracts to be awarded in May and for construction starting in the summer. Morrow said his goal is to have the building fully enclosed by the start of winter.

As construction manager, Carl A. Nelson & Company will participate in the pre-construction phase of the project with input on the design, budget and schedule to ensure the project remains affordable, meets the city's goals and is completed on-time in 2027. Once the construction begins, CANCO's team will provide project management and field supervision to ensure quality, schedule, budget and safety performance.

This project marks CANCO's third major project for the Burlington Fire Department, and second major construction management project for the City of Burlington. CANCO previously was general contractor on a major renovation of the downtown Central Fire Station, and for construction of Station #2, on the city's south side near Southeast Iowa Regional Airport. CANCO was CM for renovation of the former US Bank building at Main and Jefferson streets downtown for use as the new Burlington Police Department.