SEA BRIGHT — The demolition of the buildings that once served as the headquarters of first responders on Ocean Avenue is underway.
At its June 3 meeting, the Borough Council voted in favor of awarding a contract to Titan Demolition & Salvage LLC, Woodbridge, for $38,745 for the demolition of the police and fire department buildings that were heavily damaged by superstorm Sandy.
Acting Business Administrator Joseph Verruni said the company has 30 days to finish the project.
“[Titan] Demolition is expected to finish the project by the week of [June] 22nd,” he said. “If all goes well, the site will be all done by the July Fourth weekend.”
Borough officials authorized the receipt of bids for the demolition on April 7 and received nine bids by May 13.
The Borough Council rejected all the bids due to a bid specification discrepancy and re-advertised for the bids. The council approved the Titan Demolition contract — the lowest bidder over three other bidders.
Verruni said after speaking with all the construction companies, the demolition work and removal of debris should be a 10- day process.
“All work will be done on the weekdays, and we hope they start as early as they can, which is by 7 a.m.,” he said.
Police have been operating from several office trailers in the municipal parking lot next to the currently vacant firehouse. Police vehicles are being parked nearby in front of the vacant police headquarters.
The move was a result of mold that was discovered at police headquarters in March 2014, which was the result of floodwaters from superstorm Sandy and leaks from the building’s windows and roof.
Sea Bright Fire and Rescue has been housed at several garages off New Street since June 2014, after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) condemned the Fire Department headquarters in March of last year.
Last month, borough officials presented the plans for a proposed municipal complex that would house all the public safety departments, including police and the fire departments, Office of Emergency Management and Emergency Medical Services.
The plans include a proposed beachfront community center that would serve multiple uses, including men’s and women’s changing facilities, bathroom stalls and beach lockers on the first floor for those utilizing the beach; and a library, media center and community meeting rooms — which can hold up to 150 seats — on the second floor.
Each building would be built along Ocean Avenue, backed by the seawall that is slated for reconstruction.
Borough officials have said they are optimistic that up to 90 percent of the costs to build the two facilities would be reimbursed by FEMA.