I have no doubt a new HES shelter is needed but am confused by the cost. I keep seeing the numbers $10-$13 million to build a new shelter and I'd think several could be built for that amount.
I must be missing something significant, so I'm asking what is it?
Sam Taylor
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That’s a great question, so here’s what I found about pricing. The simple answer to your question as to why it cost so much could be attributed to the county waiting so long. We could have saved a ton of money building it sooner, the need was unquestionable. We knew we needed the building when prices were below $100 or less per square foot to build. Commercial building prices are approximately $200+ per square foot currently to build, which has risen exponentially over the years. We could wait some more, but that has not worked out well for Hamilton County in the past.
While some voters feel this was an emotional decision to build the new building I disagree. This was about money more than anything. Stop waiting and build it before the price gets really out of hand. The need was an obvious one.
James Berry