The City of Tacoma is currently considering a $6.1 million bid to renovate its outdated landfill administration building and maintenance shop, according to public works staff. Bidding on the project opened July 13 and recently concluded with seven companies submitting proposals ranging from $6,163,427 to $7,213,800. City engineers estimated the project would cost $7,903,239.
“The bidding was fairly tight,” said public works engineer and project coordinator Terry Forslund during a meeting of Tacoma City Council’s environment and public works committee July 28. The lowest bid, which was 22 per cent below the engineers’ estimate, was submitted by Howard S. Wright Constructors of Seattle. Other bids include Pease Construction (Lakewood) — $6,219,341; Bayley Construction (Mercer Island) — $6,290,215; — J.E. Dunn Construction (Kirkland) — $6,353,609; Graham Contracting (Seattle) — $6,469,467; Jones & Roberts Company (Olympia) — $6,537,889; and Serpanok Construction (Tacoma) — $7,213,800.
The City’s contracts and awards board is scheduled to review the lowest bid today. If approved by the board, a purchase resolution would appear on City Council’s agenda Aug. 10 or Aug. 17. If approved by council, construction is expected to begin in October and conclude in August 2012. The project will be funded through construction bonds dating back to 2006.
In May, Forslund told the council committee the project includes a new building that will co-locate operations staff (truck drivers and route supervisors) and administrative staff (managers, clerical workers, and customer service representatives); improve efficiency, health, and safety for employees; provide increased capacity and future flexibility; and update the facility by creating an environmentally sustainable building.
“The original building was built in 1977 and was added onto in 1989,” explained Forslund. “Since then, all kinds of programs have been added.” Indeed, the number of services offered and staff on-site have outgrown the building. Some employees are working out of a trailer in the parking lot. Forslund said the project will make the building compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act standards. The expansion consists of a two-story, 14,000 square-foot addition to the north wall of the existing administration building. The City hopes the project will achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver rating.
