Ledyard — The Permanent Municipal Building Committee Monday night approved a general contractor for the construction of the new police facility, which voters approved in May 2013.

The Nutmeg Companies Inc. of Norwich, Mayor John Rodolico said, will sign a $4,935,500 contract that gives the company 14 months to complete the work.

At this point, Rodolico said construction likely will begin in August, after the building committee chooses a clerk of the works to monitor the project toward the end of this month. The job opening closes July 20.

Nutmeg's $4.9 million contract is more than $500,000 less than those involved had budgeted for in April, meaning extra money is available for contingencies, and the project is still operating within its $6.75 million budget.

Once finished, the more than 11,300-square-foot, two-story building at 741 and 737 Colonel Ledyard Highway also will feature landscaping, a parking lot and other improvements.

On April 8, the Town Council unanimously voted to combine the 741 and 737 parcels, taking advantage of the opportunity to create an almost 2.5-acre municipal government campus.

The new facility will replace the existing about 7,000-square-foot building, located at 11 Lorenz Industrial Parkway, which has issues ranging from cramped record storage rooms to poor drainage, to a lack of space for heating, cooling, technological and other machinery.

Rodolico added that the town is waiting for approval from the state Department of Transportation before parallel parking, one of the potential exterior improvements, can be added to Colonel Ledyard Highway, or state Route 117.

"The on-street parking will accomplish a purpose," he said, citing the town centers of Mystic and East Lyme. "It expedites people stopping and using local businesses and it slows people down. It's a very good feature that will enhance our town." 

l.boyle@theday.com

Twitter: @LindsayABoyle