Board Allocates Additional Funding as Construction starts on New Animal Shelter Project

On Tuesday, June 16, 2020, the Board of County Supervisors voted to budget and appropriate an additional $1.6 million for the construction of the new Animal Shelter, located at 14807 Bristow Road in Manassas.

The Board originally allocated $15 million for the Animal Shelter project; however, after issuing an invitation for bid for the construction of the project in October 2019, the lowest responsive bid, submitted by Taft Construction, Inc., exceeded available funds for the project by 21 percent. To remain within budget, county staff collaborated with the construction company on strategies to reduce construction costs while not affecting the programmed space, square footage, or overall operations. After negotiations, Taft Construction, Inc. submitted their best and final offer. While the project had enough funds to award a construction contract, enough funds did not exist to complete the entire project. The project budget needed an additional $1.6 million to keep the total square footage of the facility as previously envisioned and complete the project as originally planned. In March, the Board directed staff to increase the Animal Shelter project budget by the needed $1.6 million.

With the allocation of these funds, the shelter will add approximately 2,300 square feet for potential uses, such as office space, flex space, playrooms, storage, and/or future growth areas. In addition, the funding will pay for demolition of the existing facility, additional furniture, furnishings and equipment, a new barn for large animals and site paving.

In May, preliminary site work started, including land clearing, demolition of some outbuildings, and installation of erosion and sediment controls. Upcoming tasks will include the installation of a new water main and construction of a temporary access road to the facility.

The project and design firm are Cole & Denny and the construction company is Taft Construction, Inc., with completion of construction scheduled for November 2021. The total budget for the new Animal Shelter is $16,724,525, which includes the additional $1.6 million.

More information about the project is available on the county’s website or by contacting Acting Facilities & Fleet Management Director Matthew Villareale at MVillareale@pwcgov.org.