TORONTO - Despite rejecting most aspects of the initial bids for the city school district's high school stadium overhaul earlier, the city school board approved re-submitted bids for the project during a special meeting March 28 at Karaffa Elementary School.
Most of the first rounds of bids were over the district's budget for the project. However, re-submitted bids by contractors were approved by the board March 28 that will keep the project within budget and finished on time, according to Maureen Taggart, district communications coordinator.
"Our original bids did come in higher than our base bids," said Taggart. "All the (initial) bids were rejected (by the school board) except for the bleachers. E&D Specialty from North Collins, N.Y., is the company hired to install the bleachers on the home team side."
The company's bid for installation of seating was $224,000, she added.
Taggart said other bids accepted during Wednesday's meeting included a $357,118 bid from E. Mullins Construction Co. of Bloomingdale for general trades contracting; a $35,450 bid from Cattrell Co. of Toronto for electrical work; a bid of $11,880 from York Mahoning Mechanical Co. of Youngstown for mechanical work; and a bid of $35,000 from Rod Henry & Sons Heating, Plumbing and Air Conditioning of Toronto for plumbing.
"Since we didn't have any bids at or below our base bid for plumbing we were able to declare 'urgent necessity,'which permitted the district to hire Henry & Sons at the base bid of $35,000."
Taggart said some facade changes also were made to lower the project's cost.
"We did take a look at the stadium design, and there have been a few changes made," said Taggart, adding there will now be 8-inch by 8-inch block behind the stadium's brick facade. "That will help reduce costs. The concession stand also will be made of block.
"Our total budget for the stadium was $776,000," Taggart continued. "The $700,000 came from the bond issue that was passed, and $70,000 came from the sale of the former Lincoln School. Another $6,000 came from the auction for the former S.C. Dennis School (furnishings). There could be change orders, but right now we're within our total budget."
Taggart said the stadium will be finished on time.
"We don't anticipate being behind at all," Taggart said.
"We will have the bleachers completed before the city's Independence Day celebration July 7. We're also very happy we were able to hire some local companies."
Taggart also said the sale of memorial brick and pillar projects were proceeding until April 30, with all funds generated from sales going toward additional stadium upgrades.
"So far we've sold 27 pillars and 328 bricks," Taggart said. "The first project will be to purchase a new sound system."
(Miller can be contacted at mmiller@heraldstaronline.com.)
