The City of Gardner, Kansas, is making a significant investment in its future with the construction of a new utilities building that will bring all divisions of the Utilities Department under one roof, the Kansas Municipal Energy Agency/Kansas Municipal Gas Agency Q1 2026 Power Factor newsletter reports.
The project, which has been in development since 2017, is now well underway and is expected to be completed by March 2026, the newsletter noted.
“The purpose of the new facility is to consolidate administration and maintenance crews into one location, improving communication, planning, and daily operations. By housing all divisions together, the city aims to streamline workflows and enhance service delivery for its growing community,” the newsletter said.
The building will feature garage bays for line maintenance and electric distribution crews, office space, storage areas, and crew show-up rooms.
Large equipment bays will allow vehicles to pull in and out without backing up, and additional office and equipment space will accommodate future growth. Currently, line maintenance equipment is stored outdoors and across multiple locations, creating challenges during winter weather events. The new facility will eliminate those inefficiencies and provide a safer, more organized environment, the newsletter article noted.
The project is being delivered through a design-build contract, with Phase 1 design costs of $180,500 and Phase 2 construction costs of $4,739,345, bringing the total project cost to $4,919,845. The site layout also includes room for an additional garage bay, ensuring flexibility for future needs.
Jeff LeMire, Gardner’s Utilities Manager and the person in charge of the project, said the most challenging aspect has been balancing everyone’s needs list within the budget, the newsletter article said.
"However, seeing the building come together after years of planning is incredibly rewarding. This new facility represents a major milestone for Gardner’s Utilities Department and the community it serves— providing improved efficiency, safety, and capacity for years to come," the article noted.
