Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 1, 1995 TAG: 9504030048
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
County Finance Director Carol Edmonds opened the single, $2.37 million bid Wednesday. The bid, 37 percent over the expected budget, represents a temporary setback for library supporters. Edmonds extended the bid deadline to April 14 to try to solicit more competition.
"We just don't have a good feel, without any other competition, what the appropriate range would be," Edmonds said.
County voters approved $1.88 million in borrowing to finance the library project in November 1993; the county budgeted $1.73 million of that for construction and $150,000 to partially pay for automating the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library's checkout system. The county will receive automation proposals next week.
At least seven contractors had expressed interest in the construction project initially. Several had requested an extension before Wednesday's opening, though too late legally to halt that bid opening, said county Supervisor Joe Gorman.
Library supporters have anxiously awaited the construction bid opening ever since the winning bid on the new health and human services building in Christiansburg came in over budget in January. That project's $3.26 million total cost is 12 percent higher than budgeted. Voters approved the health building borrowing in a separate, $2.9 million referendum on the same '93 ballot.
County officials attributed the difference to the New River Valley's booming construction market, which makes contractors' services more in demand and therefore more expensive. Others, including some library supporters, contend the county supervisors dragged their feet so long between the '93 referendum and selling the bonds late last year that it's inevitable the prices will come in over budget. Despite the difference, the Board of Supervisors accepted the health building bid in late February and work is to begin on the project this spring.
Library supporters have long planned to supplement the bond referendum money with a private fund-raising drive. Last week, the county supervisors approved the transfer of $15,000 in current library budget savings to a special account to pay for fund-raising activities.
by CNB