MOUNT VERNON — A scaled-down version of the proposed expansion at the Children’s Resource Center on Coshocton Road will go out to bid soon. On Thursday morning, Matthew Kurtz, director of Knox County Job and Family Services, showed the county commissioners a revised floor plan of what will be known as The Institute for Community Resilience.
Project bids received in March came in one-third higher than what was estimated. At the time, Kurtz said that due to the number of construction projects underway in Central Ohio, he did not think that simply rebidding the project would yield different results. He also did not want to ask for more money beyond the $2.5 million already bonded and recommended revising the scope of the project before rebidding.
That revised scope decreased the square footage by about 35 percent. The structure also went from a two-story to one-story building.
“There’s a lot of expensive space when you go to two-story,” he said.
Kurtz anticipates bids to go out by Aug. 1. The new institute will include space for classrooms and training as well as a multi-purpose area that seats around 100 people.
The number of children in the care of KCJFS continues to remain steady at around 110. Kurtz said about 12 children are moving toward adoption.
Recruitment for foster families is ongoing. There are currently 15 to 20 families; Kurtz said he would like to get to 25.
The department is also gearing up for a computer system changeover in August and a fall levy campaign.
In other business Thursday, the commissioners commended Mark LeChard and Curtis Erlandson on their Eagle Scout projects. LeChard constructed a GaGa Ball court at Damascus Catholic Mission Campus, a summer youth camp located near Mount Liberty. Erlandson built a bridge at Honey Run Highlands Park in Howard.
The commissioners also approved the application for two victim assistance grant to fund the victim advocate position through the Knox County Prosecutor’s Office. The SVAA (State Victims Assistance Act) grant is for $2,651. The VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) grant is $55,941.45. The county’s match is $13,985.
