What is the cause of higher than expected costs?

The global pandemic has caused significant disruptions in supply chains, and exacerbated a shortage of skilled trade workers. The result of these forces has created significant cost escalation in the construction market. In some cases, up to 20% cost increases in a single year. Two years will have passed since this project was paused so that the community could engage in an important conversation on policing, and the time of the anticipated bidding of this project over the summer of 2022. That is two years of construction cost escalation through an unprecedented period of market change.

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1. Why do the police need a building of this size?
2. What is the cause of higher than expected costs?
3. Can you please detail the cost increase to taxpayers with median home value as well as $500K, $2M and $3M increments? Could you also please provide the revised timeline of estimated tax increases?
4. Why can’t you build the building with cheaper materials?
5. Are there spaces in the building that support community needs?
6. What is the de-escalation training room?
7. What is the height of the current Police Station and what is the height of the proposed Police Station?
8. How many floors will the proposed Police Station have?
9. Why does the project include indoor parking?
10. How many cars can be stored inside?
11. Is there infrastructure included for electric vehicle charging stations?
12. Does the project include an indoor firing range?
13. Is the building an all-electric design?
14. Is solar part of the building design?
15. Are there any restrooms that the public will be allowed to use?
16. Does the design include all-gender bathrooms?
17. How many officers is the building designed for?
18. What’s going to happen with the Hosmer House?
19. What is the large metal tower at the rear of the building?
20. What is the purpose of the communication antenna (tower)?
21. Does the communication antenna (tower) have to be located next to the Police Station?
22. While the requirements of the new station follow best practices for police station requirements, it has been asked about other new stations in the Massachusetts area. Their costs? Their size?