T-R PHOTO BY EMILY BARSKE - In March, Marshalltown's police and fire departments are set to occupy the new joint facility.

As the new Marshalltown Public Safety Building nears completion, the Marshalltown City Council approved several contract change orders on the project Wednesday.

A total of six such changes were approved for a total cost of $144,700.

The project is currently under budget, said Marshalltown Public Works Director Justin Nickel in an update to the council.

He said there is currently more than $1 million in unspent money in the project budget with about three months left to go until the estimated completion date of March 3. Nickel said there will be several costs between now and then, but that the project should still come in within budget.

This was not the first round of change orders the city council has approved for the project.

“I don’t like change orders,” said at-large Councilor Bill Martin. However, he said he accepts that change orders are common in large construction projects.

The priciest change comes from “site demolition and earthwork for Con-Struct Inc.” at a cost of about $116,900.

Other change orders include $21,000 for electrical communications and security, $2,526 for concrete foundations, $1,795 for sidewalks and paving, $1,744 for plumbing and mechanical work, and $801 for gypsum wall assemblies.

Earlier this month, Marshalltown public safety officials said they are excited for the new joint fire-police station to open. The new building will replace the current Marshalltown Fire Station, 107 S. First Ave., and the Marshalltown Police Station, 22 N. Center St., as the home of local firefighters and police officers.

The facility was approved by local voters in August of 2016 at a cost not to exceed $17.5 million. That referendum passed by a margin of 65 percent to 35 percent.

The project continues at the corner of South Second Street and West High Street near Fisher Community Center.

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Contact Adam Sodders at (641) 753-6611 or asodders@timesrepublican.com