Tuesday, March 17, 2009 9:22 PM CDT
Council OKs trimmed depot project bid
By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com
MATTOON — City commissioners on Tuesday approved a reduced base bid of $2,109,239 for the Mattoon depot restoration project to ensure it will not exceed available funds.
The vote was unanimous for the change that deleted $382,761 for terrazzo floor repair from the base bid submitted in February by Grunloh Construction of Effingham. The intent is to rebid the floor repair to save $200,000 from work at the old Illinois Central Railroad Depot. This reduced the base bid from $2,492,000 to $2,109,239.
Alternate bids on different work could have raised the total construction costs to $2,802,000, which would have exceeded available federal, state and private funding by $13,100, explained project architect Don Hance in a letter to city officials.
The deletion of the floor work allows the project to have better leeway to handle costs exceeding the bid. City officials made it clear that taxpayers could not make up the difference.
After the unanimous vote by the council for accepting Grunloh’s bid, Mayor Dave Cline said he was glad to see the end to a process that actually started eight years ago with the city partnered with the Coles County Historical Society to save the 91-year-old structure.
“I am glad the bid part is done and we can move ahead with it. It will be nice to see the construction part start and see the depot get back in shape,” said Cline at the close of Tuesday’s meeting.
Jackie Record, who has coordinated much of the local fundraising and lobbying for the depot project, said she is happy to reach this point more than three years after $2.53 million in federal funding was committed to the restoration of the historic building.
Additional funding for future work includes $50,000 from a state elevator grant and $172,000 in matching funds from the local historical society, which owns the building. The work will cover much of the interior and exterior of the tri-level brick building that serves as an Amtrak passenger station daily — about 30,000 use the facility per year with six trains stopping in Mattoon.
“We’re anxious for construction to start. But we realize it will be difficult for the passengers after the work starts,” she said.
The project will add a new elevator, repair the restrooms, restore masonry and windows, fix the old ticket office and create a new local history museum. There will also be cleanup of the exterior and removal of asbestos.
The plan is to start work in a matter of weeks while maintaining access to the train station located on Broadway Avenue.
In other business Tuesday, the council gave final approval on an outright grant agreement for $80,000 to Dr. Donald Freesmeier for facade improvements, emergency structural repairs and building and electrical code updates for the former shoe store at 1528 Broadway Ave. The grant will be paid back through midtown tax increment financing (TIF) revenues over a 10-year period.
The council also approved the placement of a stop sign at the corner of Marion Avenue and 28th Street to better reflect current traffic flow.
In addition, Julia Boyd made a presentation on World Autism Awareness Day, which is April 2. Boyd, who has an autistic child, said the day, established by the United Nations, is intended to raise awareness regarding the devastating elements of this medical condition and eliminate misconceptions from television and movies.
“This day is meant to celebrate autism and what we can do about it,” Boyd said.
Broadway Christian Church will host several events from noon to 7 p.m. on April 2, and Boyd invited the commissioners and public to attend. Cline also read a proclamation recognizing World Autism Awareness Day.
Also Tuesday, Mattoon resident Terry Tomer commented on the council changes on public presentations and questions. Under new rules, the public can only ask questions or make comments on city business before the council votes on motions.
Tomer said that places a burden on public discussion on specific motions. He asked if the council could consider amending the new public comment rules.
Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.
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