renovation project

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

Aug. 14, 2000 10 PM

Renovations to the Pike County Courthouse will cost almost $1.1 million.

Monday night, the Pike County Commission approved Whaley Construction of Troy’s $682,500 base bid, along with four alternatives.

Alternative 1, which include toilets compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act adds $46,400 to the base bid.

Alternative 2 is a $132,300 exterior restoration. The $29,5000 added with Alternative 3 will include an egress exit on the second floor. Alternative 4 will involve E Glazing the windows at a cost of $6,800, which is expected to save money in making the courthouse more energy efficient.

Other costs of the project include a $27,500 contingency, $61,280 in architect fees and $106,00 in phone and cable wiring.

County Administrator Steve Hicks reminded the commissioners $250,000 in construction funds are available, along with $140,000 in an energy loan.

The total amount to finance will come to $902,280.

Now, the commission has to determine what to do with employees during construction. They are weighing the options of moving completely out of the courthouse and moving departments into other parts of the courthouse as work begins in those areas.

Hicks said it will cost approximately $60,000 to rent five trailers for relocating county offices during the renovation.

"There’s going to be days we’re without electricity," Hicks said. "There’s going to be some days of inconvenience."

The renovations are expected to take at least four to five months.

In other business, the commission:

· Accepted bids for resurfacing seven county roads at a cost of a little over $1 million. Some of that money will come from state public road and bridge funds.

County engineer Herb Huner said work should begin within 45 days.

· Was told the bridge on County Road 25 is expected to be let in the October bid letting.

"We’re trying to do everything we can to push it along," Huner said.

The county was forced to reduce the weight limit on that bridge earlier this year for safety reasons.

· Awarded a $8,000 bid, plus a $1,000 annual maintenance contract to P-C Plus for a printer requested by the reappraisal department.

· Set budget hearings for Aug. 28, following the commission meeting and at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 29.

The budget must be approved by the end of September.

· Approved a request to install storm drain pipes at the Brundidge Industrial Park. Installation of the seven pipes will cost the county $54,000 in labor and equipment, although the city of Brundidge is purchasing the pipe.

Huner said it will take four employees about a week to a week and a half to do the work.

· Heard a report from Sam Green of the solid waste department regarding the county’s litter program. Already, litter has been picked up on 12 roads and employees are currently working on County Road 37.