The cost of the actual construction of Manteca’s new police station will be $53 million.

The low bid by Roebbelen Contracting expected to be accepted by the City Council when they meet Tuesday is $10 million under the engineer’s estimate of $63 million.

That means the overall project — once soft costs such as furnishing, engineering and architectural type of work connected with the project and such are factored in — the overall cost of the project will be significantly lower than $92 million.

There is also a 5 percent contingency set aside, or $54.3 million, included in the overall cost

The bid the council is being asked to accept was $1.8 million under the next bidder and $10.1 million less than the third bidder.

The work includes site improvements, grading, paving, utilities, drainage, landscaping, secure parking, generator infrastructure, communications, security and low-voltage systems, fire protection, fire alarm, off-site traffic signals and commissioning of a complete and operational facility.

Roebbelen recently completed a public safety building project in San Ramon.

The contract calls for completion of the Manteca police station within 540 calendar days and final completion within 609 calendar days of the Notice to Proceed.

The project will be funded by a mixture of Government Building Facilities Fees, Measure Q, and bond proceeds.

The 49,072 square-foot building is designed for a police force of 130 front-line officers and the support staff that they need to be effective.

Currently, the department has 85 authorized positions.

The new complex will be designed with a real time crime center wedded to the ability to launch first responder drones. Typically, drones arrive at those priority one calls ahead of officers providing eyes to allow an overview so responders aren’t going into situations blind and can deploy resources and respond in less time and more effectively.

It includes a community room — that will be made available for community use — that will do double duty as an emergency command center. It will be prewired for such use.

As for what type of emergencies— think the major train derailment in February 1989, the devastating 1997 floods, or the pandemic and PG&E wildfire power shutdowns.

It will also allow the department to expand its community outreach whether it is offering crime prevention seminars, conducting beat outreach meetings to address and hear safety concerns in specific Manteca neighborhoods such as Ripon Police conduct in Ripon, and other ventures.

The new building, unlike the current facility, is being designed with long-term growth in mind.

The initial footprint assumes it will be adequate to cover needs on a 20-year horizon when it comes to growth, once the building is competed.

The design allows the conversion of a sizable courtyard in the center of the station into more office space and facilities.

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To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com