Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 3, 1993 TAG: 9307030293
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SANDRA BROWN KELLY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But Alvin Nash, who is serving as advocate for local companies, wants more in the pool. Even though the deadline was Tuesday, Nash said he will still accept applications.
The preapproval plan is designed to try to assure that small, women- and minority-owned businesses will have opportunities to get part of the work on the project.
Nash said he wants as many electrical and mechanical companies to participate as possible.
Nash is on leave from his job as deputy director of Total Action Against Poverty to be the advocate for the local companies.
Businesses that want to be considered for the project have to complete forms giving their work history, experience and bonding potential.
There is no open bid process, Nash said. Only firms who prequalify can bid.
General contractors F.N. Thompson of Charlotte, N.C., and J.M. Turner & Co. of the Roanoke Valley will choose the subcontractors, and Nash will review their selection process.
He said he also will help contractors who want to team up so they can increase their bidding power.
The hotel work has been split into about 35 pieces to allow as many subcontractors as possible to participate.
Work on the hotel is under way. Interior demolition that did not disturb asbestos has been done. Asbestos removal will be next, said Dave Van Blaricom, construction manager for the project developer, Faison & Associates.
Van Blaricom said he also is eager for the conference center part of the project to begin. He said it's time to start, so the center can be ready for the tentative March 1995 opening date.
Plans for the hotel/conference center project will be on display July 12 from 3 to 7 p.m. in the lobby of the Roanoke Civic Center Auditorium. Project officials will be available to answer questions, and there will be free parking to encourage citizens to visit.
The conference center is expected to cost $12.8 million. It will be offered by late August or early September for public bidding as a single project, officials said. There is no advance qualification process for it.
The company that has been formed to handle the renovation is Hotel Roanoke LLC (for limited liability company). It is made up of the Virginia Tech Foundation and Renew Roanoke Inc., a group that raised money for the renovation.
The conference center will be built by the Hotel Roanoke Conference Center Commission. Roanoke and Tech each have three representatives on the commission.
by CNB