Hawkeye Community College work bids come in under estimate

WATERLOO | Hawkeye Community Colleges Board of Trustees Tuesday awarded contracts for two projects that came in well under estimates after multiple bids were submitted.

A $1.69 million contract was awarded to Peters Construction Corp. of Waterloo for Buchanan Hall remodeling. A $171,282 contract was awarded to Voltmer Inc. of Decorah for exterior campus site lighting.

Estimates presented to trustees last month for total project budgets were $2.63 million for the remodeling and $230,000 for the lighting. Those estimates accounted for more than the contractors bids, including such costs as contingency and architects fees. Nonetheless, both came in below the estimates.

There was a lot of interest in this project, Dan Channer of Stuxture Architects said of the Buchanan remodeling. I think the bidding climate right now is pretty active. Channer designed both projects.

The bids of all five companies that sought the Buchanan remodeling contract were within $77,000. The six companies bidding on the lighting were all within about $63,500.

Buchanan Halls work will include the replacement of the heating, ventilating and cooling system, upgrading the electrical system and fire panel, adding a sprinkler system, remodeling a break room area and some ancillary retrofits such as ceiling tile and lighting. The project will be done in three phases with a completion date of August 2015.

It follows earlier remodeling and upgrades in another part of the building called the Advanced Technology and Business Center. Trustees approved a certificate of substantial completion on that earlier project Tuesday, which starts the warranty period for the work done.

The other contract awarded Tuesday includes installing lamp pole lighting around Hawkeyes interior courtyard walkway. The improvement is intended to make the campus more inviting for evening classes and events as well as provide added security. Installation is expected to be done by July 25.

Funds for both projects will come from the facilities maintenance levy.

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Hawkeye Community College work bids come in under estimate