The Chestnuthill Shared Emergency Services building is on hold for at least six months, because the bids came in higher than expected.

This week, Keystone Engineering submitted the only bid for the Shared Emergency Services Facility.

“We thought we’d be in about the 6 to 7 million range, but it came in at $10,200,000,” said Chairman Chuck Gould.

“So the fire department, the fire chief, the staff here, everybody’s recommended that we reject that bid and bid it out again in about six months going into next winter. But that’s a 30% bump and you can’t eat that and blow your budget.”

The board followed through and rejected the bid, with a motion to bid the project out again in about six months.

The all-in-one facility for the West End Volunteer Fire Company, West End Community Ambulance Association and a Regional West End Emergency Operations Center that would serve Chestnuthill, Jackson, Eldred, Ross, Polk and Hamilton townships. It would also provide an administrative backup location for the Monroe County Control Center and the Monroe County Office of Emergency Management.

“Having a regional center will create cost savings, more timely aid to residents, and enhanced collaboration between the townships,” Township manager Dave Albright explained.

The 19,598-square-foot building has 13,630 square feet dedicated to the fire department and 2,781 square feet dedicated to the township’s emergency operations. West End ambulances will be housed there.

Chestnuthill Township had taken ownership of the property across from the West End Volunteer Fire Company (corner of Route 715 and Firehouse Lane), which is where the Shared Emergency Services Facility would be constructed.