MOUNT VERNON — When the county commissioners opened the second round of bids on Nov. 8 for the Children’s Resource Center expansion project, they were once again over the engineer’s estimated cost of $2.2 million. This time, it was 13 percent over.
On Dec. 6, Matthew Kurtz, director of Knox County Job & Family Services, told the commissioners, “I would walk away from this at this point and rethink what we are going to do.”
The first bids received in March came in one-third over the engineer’s estimate. Kurtz revised the plans, reducing the square footage by 35 percent and moving from a two-story to a one-story building. The project was rebid in August, but again came in over the allowable 10 percent difference.
The county sold 30-year bonds totaling $2.5 million to finance the CRC project. Now they are looking to use that money for the rehabilitation of the former Central School on East Chestnut Street. Before they can do so, a majority of the individuals who bought the bonds must approve the change in projects.
A feasibility study completed in August by MKC Architects showed the school building in sound shape structurally and worth preserving. The estimated cost of restoring the building is $3.86 million.
The Veterans Service Office wants to move into the building once renovations are complete. The Knox County Board of Elections also expressed interest but is still requesting changes to the plans.
Plans call for the VSO to have the first floor and the front half of the second floor. Part of the second-floor space includes a conference room that will be shared with the BOE and the community. The BOE will have the basement and the back half of the second floor.
The commissioners will have final plans in January and will bid the project by Feb. 1. Bids will be opened and awarded by the end of February so that most of the interior work can be completed during the winter. Work involving a new roof and redoing the parking lots will be done when good weather returns.
“The good thing is there’s not a lot of demolition. It’s really getting it up to standard,” said Jason Booth, county administrator.
