By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green City Council has been asked to allow the city to skip the bid process for the design of the new city building.
Mayor Mike Aspacher has asked that the city be permitted to enter a contract for the design of the new city building – without going out for bid for the service estimated at $1 million.
During a council meeting earlier this month, Aspacher outlined that Poggemeyer Design Group, of Bowling Green, did the initial feasibility study for the project, understands the community, and is aware of the historical nature of the site.
By using Poggemeyer Design Group, the city could avoid the time-consuming effort of advertising and getting bids, and getting the architecture firm up to speed on the site.
Aspacher said the city could benefit financially from the low rates by selling the bond for the project in the spring.
The actual construction of the building would go through the competitive bidding process, Aspacher said. The total cost for design, demolition and construction is estimated at $11 million.
Earlier this month, council member Bill Herald asked about cutting out the bid process.
“Do you feel comfortable bypassing going out for bid?” Herald said, noting that the city routinely requests bids for expenses over $50,000.
“Yes, I do feel comfortable,” the mayor said, explaining that saving time could save a lot of money for taxpayers.
Aspacher said he had consulted with the city attorney, who said the process does not pose any legal problems.
The proposal is the culmination of nearly 20 years of planning, review and financial preparation for the future city building. Aspacher explained that this is similar to the process the city used with the new Veterans Building in City Park.
“Based on the positive experience with the consulting team of Poggemeyer Design Group and The Collaborative, and the enthusiasm for the concept of incorporating the 305 N. Main facade with the modern building requirements, we recommend contracting with the same team for the design and construction administration of the new building,” the proposed ordinance stated.
The new city administration building is proposed on the site of the current senior center. After years of delays, several pieces of the plan are falling into place – including the senior center moving out of its North Main Street building, the drop in interest rates, and the end to other debt owed by the city.
In October, the results of a feasibility study for the new building were presented to City Council and the Board of Public Utilities.
“The conclusions of this study reinforce a long held belief of mine – that our current city building has reached the end of its useful life and also that our community deserves a city building that we can be proud of,” Aspacher said at that meeting.
The city contracted with Poggemeyer Design Group and The Collaborative to study the current city building at 304 N. Church St. and the current senior center building which the city owns at 305 N. Main St., then come up with a plan for a new city administration building.
The result was a plan for a new building using the front facade of the senior center. The rest of the current senior center and the city building would be demolished, as well as the house owned by the city just to the north of the city building on North Church Street.
The study found deficiencies with both the current city building and senior center – which were both built for other purposes.
Plans call for the city to continue using its existing building on North Grove until the new building on North Main is complete. The entire project is estimated to take two years.
The estimated costs for the project are:
• Demolition – $426,250
• Site – $877,300
• Building – $7,389,837
• Soft costs (like furniture, permits, surveys) – $1,154,339
• Contingency – $1,043,207
• Total estimated project cost – $10,890,933
