Richardson holds groundbreaking ceremony for 2 projects

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in Richardson for two facilities that were included as part of the 2021 bond.

The ceremonies for the Richardson Animal Shelter and Fire Station No. 5 were held last week, according to a city news release. The Richardson Animal Shelter was closed March 4-5 as staff transitioned into temporary spaces during the facility’s renovation.

What you need to know

The animal shelter project will include a new main entrance, storage rooms and expanded staff offices. The overall budget and scope for the project was increased in December to $4.3 million funded by the 2021 bond and cost savings on other projects, interest earning and 2022 funding for the bond contingency.

In addition to the groundbreaking at the animal shelter, a ceremony was also held at Fire Station No. 5. The fire station project includes additional living quarters for station personnel, expanded storage for firefighting gear and a new HVAC system.

Based on the December 2023 update to the project’s budget, it sits around $4.8 million.

What’s next?

Construction on Fire Station No. 5 is expected to last for most of 2024 with anticipated completion later this year or in early 2025. The Richardson Animal Shelter renovation will likely be completed in early 2025.