Centerville OKs City Hall bid

CENTERVILLE — With the lowest bid coming in well below architectural estimates, the Centerville City Council is ready to move forward with construction of a 2,800-square-foot addition to City Hall and the remodeling of the basement.

The City Council accepted Brubaker Construction's bid of $591,000 Tuesday night, and city staff members plan to hold a construction meeting in about a week, said city finance director Blaine Lutz.

Lutz said the city had an estimate in January of $775,000 for the construction cost. He credited the economic climate with the 15 competitive bids the city received for the project.

The savings will allow the city to have more money than estimated for future projects, Lutz said.

The building addition, which is expected to provide more community space at City Hall, as well as more space for the city's police department, is only part of the project, which has a total budget of $756,000.

The project also includes relocating computer-system equipment to the basement, purchasing furniture, some masonry work and landscaping.

Part of the project will be paid out of the city's water fund.

The city has been putting money away in its capital projects fund for the addition, Lutz said, adding that the city is fortunate that construction prices have become more affordable in recent months. And he hopes it stays that way when the city begins construction on the Davis Cultural Arts Center later in the spring.

— Joseph M. Dougherty