Renew atlanta fire station renovations - September 2018

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Renew Atlanta Fire Station Renovations
​​Released September 2018

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Download the Report Highlights here

We undertook this audit to assess the fire station renovation projects planned for the Renew Atlanta Infrastructure Bond Program. We assessed controls over payments to architecture and engineering consultants and considered the reasons why renovations have not proceeded to construction on schedule and budget. We selected this project because fire stations provide a public safety service throughout the city and because of stakeholder concerns.

We found:

• Funds allocated for fire station renovations were over $4 million less than estimated needs identified in a 2015 facility condition assessment
• Design costs were high relative to estimated construction costs—for nine fire stations with an architect's construction estimate, design costs ranged from 12% to 48% of estimated construction cost
• Renew Atlanta has completed most planned installations of exhaust systems and gear lockers
• More complicated renovations have been significantly delayed—mostly by difficulties in procuring construction contractors
• Controls are functioning to ensure payments to architecture and engineering firms are authorized and supported