New bids

sought

for library

project

Original bid was double anticipated cost

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Work begins now by the city's architect, not on building but on reducing construction estimates, in order to try to salvage the Public Library Accessibility Project with a re-letting of bids.

The project links the two library buildings and makes both handicapped accessible. When linked, the 1935 building will provide expansion for some library services.

Bids in the first go-round this fall came in at around double the $654,000 estimate made by kagermeier oleson hobbie architects of Mankato. The low bidder was Heymann Construction Company of New Ulm with a bid of $1,187,600.

"In all my years on the council, I've never seen a bid this far out of whack," Council President Dan Beranek said.

"I have to say that I was shocked, too, although as we progressed in the planning, I expressed concern that the changes being made would run up the cost," KOH architect Eric Oleson said, in presenting his recommendations for project cuts to the City Council Tuesday.

After hearing Oleson's plan, the council voted to reject all bids from the first letting and gave him the go-ahead to prepare for a second letting, most likely in late January.

He outlined a package of cost reductions ranging from $247,000 to $281,000. He felt that kind of package could "potentially" reduce the base bid to an estimated $906,600. Still, it would remain to be seen how eager contractors would be in taking on the job. However, Oleson told councilors he would be offering "a lot of 'alts,'"lower-cost alternates to what the plans specify

In trying to allay council fears that the project would still be too costly, City Manager Brian Gramentz said he felt it could be done at that cost if the bids are let before March 1, 2005. The city negotiated an extension to that date on using a $150,000 grant from the state.

While most of the cuts recommended by Oleson fall into the "few thousand here and a few thousand there" category, there are two significant cuts that make up the majority of reductions.

The biggest proposed cut -- $100,000 to $110,000 -- would result from going with a more economical exterior veneer and replacing the proposed "curtain wall" with a window system. The curtain wall feature for the exterior alone amounts to $50,000.

Perhaps the most controversial of the deducts suggested by Oleson was in mechanical systems. While he suggested alternate designs that would use gas fired mechanical units instead of steam, he also proposed removing the air conditioning unit (Roof Top Unit #2) that provided additional cooling for the old library. These steps were estimated to save $47,000-$50,000.

When Library Director Carolyn Baird was asked to comment on the changes, she at first was reluctant to voice her opinion. At the urging of Councilor Clark Tuttle, she said a concern was removing the air conditioning unit. "We may have large groups during the summer (in the old building) and may need improved air conditioning."

During a review of Oleson's proposals at the Library Board meeting Thursday, Baird said she and her staff weren't happy either about starting construction in the spring.

"They say they're saving money by going spring into summer which doesn't please us much because it will be difficult (for staff) with the (programs) we offer during that time."

Oleson's proposed deducts also include scrapping plans to remodel a storage room on the lower level. It would be divided in half with a wall for a staff break room on one side and storage on the other.

That, plus leaving the men's and women's restrooms as is and creating an accessible restroom in the infill area for both sexes, would result in a deduct of $30,000-$34,000, Oleson estimated.

While Oleson plans to offer it as an alternate, the circular circulation desk is another casualty from the base bid. He estimates that would save another $30,000-$32,000.

Baird said Oleson told her that if money could be found to pay for the desk, it could be created for about $15,000. Otherwise, the alternative is new modular desk walls and counter to match existing circulation desk.

Because the city has $300,000 in a library building fund to add to the state grant, Gramentz said he was confident the remaining money to finance the renovation could be found by taking money from other sinking funds. In effect, the building fund deficit would be erased over several years with annual, budgeted payments into the fund.

"I'm told the cost of rebidding the project is minimal (in fact, Oleson is revising the plans at no cost to the city) so I definitely feel this is the way to go," Gramentz said.