Monday morning Bisbee Mayor Ken Budge reported City Hall was more that 50 percent complete as of last week. Budge said the contractor, BFL Construction Company, Inc. out of Tucson agreed to have the roofing and stucco completed before taking off for Christmas. In addition to the roofing and stucco sheetrock and insulation are going up on the interior. Budge said the fire system has been installed, plumbing has been installed and inspected, and work was being done for the heating and cooling.

Freeport McMoRan External Communications Manager, James Telle, said in early 2024 BBC owner Chris Reece was notified that the lease scheduled to expire in late 2025 would not be renewed due to the aging condition of the building, which is compounded by general subsidence in the vicinity.

The city broke ground on the project mid-February and was contracted to be complete in 300 days. Due to delays in receiving materials for the project, the projected completion date has been pushed back to near the end of the first quarter, said City Manager Stephen Pauken. The two-story, 10,800 sq. ft. building will replace the over 100-year-old building that was destroyed by a fire in October of 2017. The contract with BFL for the construction of city hall was $3,997,898…..read full story (online subscribers only)