The total to be awarded in eight different contracts for expansion of the Grand Marais Public Library will be $909,617, about $250,000 over the amount the project architects had estimated and about $100,000 over the amount owner’s rep ORB Management had projected. Part of the reason for this, however, may be that ORB limited its solicitation of potential bidders in order to increase the likelihood of hiring local contractors.
Over 46 percent of the money spent on eight contracts will go to local contractors S & C Masonry- Concrete for concrete and masonry; Crawford Excavating for site work and landscaping; County Plumbing & Heating for plumbing and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; and Nordic Electric for electrical work. Commissioner Jim Johnson noted that the advantage of splitting the bids out into pieces was that it allowed local companies to bid.
TL Construction of Floodwood was awarded two of the contracts, the largest one for demolition and carpentry at a cost of $375,000 and a second one for drywall work. The other two out-of-county businesses awarded contracts were Northland Flooring & Design of Grand Rapids for flooring and tile and Northern Painting & Drywall of Hibbing for painting.
Some of the bid packages were taken out of the running because they did not have enough of the necessary information or qualifications.
Rob Barse of ORB Management told commissioners on May 31, 2011 that they had underestimated the extent (and thus the cost) of the electrical work that would be needed and the cost to install the longer-lasting, higher quality, more labor-intensive standing seam metal roof, which TL Construction might subcontract out for.
The board considered switching to a less expensive asphalt roof. Commissioner Fritz Sobanja said an asphalt roof would need to be replaced sooner. Commissioner Johnson said, “It’s a good thing to put a little extra money up front.”
A motion to award contracts to the bidders recommended by ORB Management passed unanimously.
Right after the vote, Board Secretary Janet Simonen said that TL Construction was the company that built the courthouse addition, which has suffered from a leaky roof.
“Well, that’s not good,” said Commissioner Jan Hall. “…I’m just being honest.”
“Maybe they can fix the leaky roof when they’re in town!” Simonen said.
Leave a Reply