Additional $2 million needed as city expands Measure S projects

Downey Fire Station 1 was renovated as part of Downey’s Measure S infrastructure projects. (Photo by Alex Dominguez)

DOWNEY - The Downey City Council revised and amended cost estimates for Measure S on Tuesday, adjusting to compensate for changes in several of the tax’s projects.

According to a report by city staff, the scope of several Measure S projects were expanded and improved upon during the course of implementation, such as the remodeling of the four fire stations becoming a comprehensive modernization.

New projects have been added to the program as well, including the Wilderness Park pond restoration, a firefighters memorial, and new futsal courts at Independence Park.

Currently, total available funding is estimated to be around $64,335,000, short nearly $2 million of the newly projected $66,247,000 cost. This shortfall could be covered using proceeds from a future unspecified real estate transaction, which will be presented as part of the city’s fiscal year 2020-21 budget.

Measure S funding became available in December of 2017, and projects subsequently began the following April. All projects are to conclude by December this year.