The proposed expansion and renovation of the Pulaski County Justice Center has drawn some interest from a number of potential contractors. The county commissioners Monday opened a total of 48 bids for 22 different project categories.
But there were still some areas of concern, according to project liaison Nathan Origer. “We received no bids for three of the categories: glass, glazing, and entrances; signs, wall and door protection, toilet accessories, and fire extinguishers and cabinets; and landscaping,” he told the commissioners. “And only one bid each for eight categories.”
Construction manager Tonn & Blank submitted its own bids for several portions of the work. County Attorney Kevin Tankersley noted that the company is allowed to do a certain percentage of the project itself. Tonn & Blank will now make another attempt at getting bids for the categories that didn’t get any response and then go about putting together a guaranteed maximum price.
But some county council members have already expressed concern about moving forward with the project in its current form. A revised bond ordinance will be up for the council’s final approval next week.
Then, at some point, Origer said attention will have to turn back to the proposed courthouse renovation, which is currently on hold. “Once we get a few more steps into this, we are eventually going to have to return to the conversation about the courthouse, how we do or don’t want to proceed with that, in what manner, address the still-unexecuted contract with Tonn & Blank. But for now, it’s the Justice Center show,” Origer said.
He added that S&P has once again given the county a favorable bond rating, but did voice some concerns with the potential impact the ongoing population decline might have on the community’s economic health.
