Council approves expansion bid
By Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLE — A project that at the beginning of the year was little more than a good idea, due to lack of funding, will soon get under way, following City Council’s approval Oct. 12 of a local contractor’s bid of $1.3 million to expand the Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library.
“Council Chair Jennifer Trombley and councilors Mel Hovey, Donald Gardner and Calvin Hall were present for the Tuesday vote, unanimously approving the bid of $1,377,150 by J.P. Martin & Sons for the expansion to the library,” said Lisa Neal-Shaw, reference librarian.
The winning bid consisted of a base bid of $1,252,660, as well as $105,090 for replacement of existing windows and $19,400 for additional flooring replacement.
“J.P. Martin’s bid was one of four the Council considered,” said Neal-Shaw.
Alternate bids on the project included: A.L. Construction, with a bid of $1,423,785; Buck Construction, with a bid of $1,523,327; and NicCait, with a bid of $1,544,900.
Work will begin soon on the expansion, which will include an elevator to provide accessibility to all levels for handicapped patrons.
“Ground will be broken possibly as early as the end of this week, with the deadline for completion set for July 2011,” said Neal-Shaw.
