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Comstock Construction and Clark Walter Sirrine architects have authorization to begin what township Supervisor Bob Spencer called "phase II" of the design development process for the new township facility. During a regular Jan. 16 board meeting, the board voted, 5-0, to move to the next step in which the architects will develop blueprints and Comstock can begin preparing bidding documents that would ultimately set a maximum price for the building. That price tag should be set by about early March.

The township board, with input from the EMS, fire department and citizens, agreed on a new version of floor plans for the building. Spencer presented that floor plan during the Jan. 16 meeting, saying he'd met with the architect to pick them up that evening.

Though the building's floor plan has moved to the next phase, its exterior is still being determined. The board may meet with a design-build team member before a final decision is made regarding the building's exterior.

In December, Spencer said the private, emergency-use areas were pretty much set. At a special meeting Dec. 28, the board continued to discuss the floor plans for administrative and community areas in the building, according to minutes from that meeting.

The plans for the new building show a facility about 13,500 square feet in size -- about 5,500 square feet smaller than a public safety building proposed a couple years ago, Spencer said after the meeting. The reduction in size comes with a reduction in cost, he said.

The previously proposed building caused concerns in the community that lead to the February 2006 recall of former township Supervisor Kim Schmidt.

Spencer said the new building addresses the critical issues based on past concerns. Because of the township's unusual aspects -- being 9.2 miles long and only 1 to 2 miles wide -- there is an emergency response issue. The facility plans now address those issues.

"We think it will be very functional and serve the needs of township residents for years to come," he said. "We think it properly meets the expectations of township taxpayers."

Spencer said some of the concerns were related to the fact that the new public safety building is the first in the township to be paid for through taxpayer money. Previous buildings were erected through fund-raisers and volunteer labor organized by area citizens, he said.

Spencer said he's received positive feedback about the current building, especially during a Dec. 11 public meeting that was attended by about 70 residents.

"So we're feeling like we're on the right track," he said.