The city council on Monday awarded a $5.11 million contract Monday to Team Construction of Vancouver to expand and renovate the precinct at 2800 N.E. Stapleton Road.

City engineers estimated construction would cost $6.2 million to $6.4 million, but all four bids were below that amount.

“The construction numbers came in very favorable,” said Tim Haldeman, Vancouver’s facilities, risk and property services director. “We can only speculate what is going on out there.”

One possible reason: A slumping economy has left contractors eager for work and ready to accept lower profits.

Vancouver police will continue to use the existing 6,142-square-foot precinct while Team Construction builds a new section, primarily to the north, Haldeman said. When that work is completed, police will move into the new area so a quick renovation can done on the existing precinct, he said. 

Construction is expected to last about a year. Work should begin in 30 days to take advantage of drier weather.

“We’re pushing them to get this thing sealed up before the weather gets bad,” Haldeman said.

The expanded precinct will include two temporary holding cells and a 1,200-square-foot community room.

Police intend to move their training facility to the west precinct from leased space at the former Washington State Department of Transportation headquarters, at 39th and Main streets, and to relocate their SWAT storage there from leased space in downtown.

Savings from not paying those two leases will help pay for the project. But most of the cost will be covered by a 0.2 percent sales tax approved in August 2005 that the council later earmarked for police and fire protection.

The entire project, including design and furnishings, is expected to cost $7.2 million, Haldeman said.

The west precinct was the Pan Terra Alternative High School before the city purchased it from the Vancouver school district 10 years ago.