Contracting

Webster Co. accepts bid for renovations

RoJohn Home Improvement selected for Bank of America project with $80,072

By JESSE HELLING, Messenger staff writer

POSTED: February 6, 2008

The first phase of ongoing renovations of the Bank of America building will begin next week.

On Tuesday, members of the Webster County Board of Supervisors voted to accept a bid from RoJohn Home Improvement of Fort Dodge.

RoJohn will complete the project for $80,072.

During a public hearing that drew no comments from county residents, Joel Lizer, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, said he was satisfied with the bidding process.

‘‘We received three very good bids,’’ Lizer said.

According to Lizer, each of the bidders — which also included Kolacia Construction of Fort Dodge and Russ’ Construction of Fort Dodge — came in below cost estimates provided by Allers Associates Architects, which developed the plans for the project.

Webster County acquired the building, located at 723 First Ave. S. in Fort Dodge, in the spring of 2007.

Various county offices and agencies, including the Webster County Disabilities Alliance and Friendship Center, have already been relocated to the building, currently occupying temporary space.

The remodeling project will add nine offices to the space. Three offices currently exist and will continue to be used.

A soundproof wall will divide the offices from the Friendship Center, which provides services to the disabled.

With a bid approved, the project is slated to begin on Feb. 11.

The remodeling is conceived as the first of what could end up being several phases of renovation.

Supervisors previously stated their intentions to conduct the project in phases for budgetary purposes.

A ‘‘substantial completion’’ date for the current project is set for April 11.