(Estherville)– Higher than expected bids is resulting in some changes to a major project in Estherville.
The City Council Monday evening voted to scale back the Phillips Pavilion project. The low bid was $537,585 from Woodruff Construction of Spencer, surpassing the $399,000 the city had budgeted for the shelter facility.
In an effort to bring the cost more in line, the council approved a change order cutting some things out of the project. That includes reducing the number of restrooms from four to two; eliminating showers and a pergola altogether; utilizing existing openings for doors, and going with a less expensive exterior. City Administrator Penny Clayton says some of those items could be added back in at a later time. She adds the council could also opt to reject the bids altogether…
“We can revise the plans in any fashion the council would like and send it back out for bid. The chance you take with that is that while we received five bids the first time, you likely aren’t going to get as many bids.”
A motion to reject the bids failed for lack of a second. Subsequent motions to award the project and to proceed with the revised plans and change order were seconded and approved.
The Phillips Pavilion project is a major element of a recreational enhancement project along a portion of the Des Moines River in Estherville.
