Mt. Vernon Register-News

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October 12, 2012

Aquatic center bids come in under estimated cost

By TESA GLASS CNHI

MT. VERNON — A second bid-letting on the Aquatic Center has produced bids that are in the $5 million to $4 million range.

Wednesday’s bid opening was the second time the city went out for bids on the aquatic center project after bids were rejected in September after coming in higher than the estimates for the project.

“We’ve had meetings with the engineer and our goal has been to find out where the disparity was in the estimation and where the bids came in,” City Manager Ron Neibert said before going a second round on the bid-letting.

Three areas for higher bid costs were identified — inflation, project enhancements and including higher priced methods of construction and components. During the first round of bid letting, eight companies bid with none of the bids coming in at less than $6.7 million. Base project cost estimates were at $5 million.

On Wednesday, five companies submitted bids — Fager McGee, L. Wolf Construction, Poettker Construction, River City Construction and Shores Builders. Those bidding were asked to submit a base bid and four alternate bids. The alternates were to add irrigation, add theming at waterwalk and sprayground, to substitute mesa stone and to eliminate liquidated damages. No bids were submitted to substitute mesa stone.

Basic features have not been effected by the new bids, Neibert said.

“There are no significant changes in the quality of the experience citizens of Mt. Vernon will enjoy,” Neibert said. Basic features still include a lap pool with diving boards, two slides, a lazy river, zero-entry pool, splash pad, bath house, parking lot and fencing.

Fager McGee submitted a base bid of $4.962 million with $64,000 for irrigation and $99,000 for theming.

L. Wolf Construction submitted a base bid of $5.237 million with $53,000 for irrigation, $46,000 for theming and a reduction of $25,000 for liquidated damages.

Poettker Construction submitted a base bid of $5.030 million with $46,000 for irrigation; $48,000 and a reduction of $5,000 for liquidated damages.

River City Construction submitted a base bid of $5.017 million, with $37,000 for irrigation and $46,700 for theming.

Shores Builders submitted a bid of $4.98 million with $52,781 for irrigation, $46,799 for theming and a $15,000 reduction for liquidated damages.

Architects are looking over the bids at this time to make sure all specifications have been followed in each bid. Neibert said the bid recommendation is expected to be presented to the City Council on Monday during its regular board meeting for its approval.

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TESA GLASS/REGISTER-NEWS
Mt. Vernon Police blocked a portion of North Ninth Street Wednesday morning about 11 a.m. after reports the brick facade of the apartment building at the corner of Ninth and Maple streets was falling to the ground. The bricks took out cable lines, awnings and were landing on the street.