Bid accepted on Ekin Center in New Albany despite debate over hiring local firm

NEW ALBANY Following an hour of debate and a failed motion to accept a higher bid the New Albany Redevelopment Commission hired the Louisville firm Myers-White Inc. to restore the Ekin Avenue Recreation Center Monday.

Last week, the body failed to take action on a contract after commission member and New Albany City Councilman Dan Coffey pushed for the local contractor Upton Pry Inc. to be chosen for the job.

Upton Pry and Myers-White were the only contractors to bid on the project, but when taking into account the alternate options, the New Albany firms price was $26,000 more than Myers-White.

Still, Coffey said it would be worth it to hire Upton Pry because they employ local people and pay local taxes.

The commission consists of five members, and only three were present during last weeks meeting. With Coffey voicing his disagreement with selecting Myers-White, commission President Irving Joshua declined to entertain a motion to vote on the bids.

The entire commission was on hand for Mondays meeting.

The bulk of the base bid was for roof replacement and repair work, and Upton Prys proposal was $9,000 cheaper than Myers-Whites bid. But counting the alternate options which include exterior painting and masonry work Upton Prys bid was for $302,000.

Thats compared to the total bid of Myers-White, which was $276,000 and eventually accepted by the commission.

The biggest difference in the bids was for the painting, as Upton Prys proposal for the work was quite a bit higher than Myers-White, officials said.

It looks like we have apples and oranges, said commission member and Councilman John Gonder of the difference in the painting bids. A representative with the engineering firm hired for the project, Michell Timperman Ritz, said the painting price may have just been a mistake on the part of Upton Pry.

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Bid accepted on Ekin Center in New Albany despite debate over hiring local firm