A local excavating company was hired for the U.S. 231 water extension project on the city’s south side.
On Wednesday, members of the Board of Public Works & Safety approved a $1,046,534 contract with Price Excavating.
The board acknowledged that Price was not the lowest bidder for the project. The low bidder was Plant Brothers of Rosedale with a bid of $1,022,050.
Brandy Allen, Director of Operations and Community Development, explained that new and extenuating circumstances are forcing the city to move quickly, and spend a little more money for the project.
Allen said the city learned that the Indiana Department of Transportation has a conflicting project in that area. This means that the city’s work planned within the state’s right-of-way would need to be finished by May 15 or the city’s project would be delayed until the fall.
“That would be problematic for us because we are extending this for homes and they would like to hook on in that time frame, so we don’t have time to wait,” she said.
Allen said Plant Brothers Excavating and Construction is currently under contract with the city for the sewer installation project on the south side.
“This isn’t necessarily to do with their quality of work, we wouldn’t know much about their quality of work because the process was supposed to start in February, and it still hasn’t started. Well, I think it started today. So, we’ve just received repeated delays, with no scheduling updates, so we are a little nervous about going with the low bidder on this project.”
Price’s contract reflects the May 15 deadline for the INDOT portion of the project.
The board also hired DES of Crawfordsville to oversee the construction of the water extension project in the amount of $9,124.
A new Crawfordsville Sidewalk Replacement program also gained board approval.
The revised cost-share program will allow the city and property owners to work together to make approved sidewalk repairs.
Mayor Todd Barton said the city will use available funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to share costs with property owners.
The program spells out who can participate, the process and the shared costs.
For single-family/owner occupied the split is 70% city and 30% property owner; for rental properties with three or less units, the split is 60% city and 40% property owner; and rental properties with four or more units, non-profit entities, churches, and businesses will split the costs 50/50.
“Our goal is to move sidewalk replacement forward in this community,” Barton said.
He also added that all construction work will be bid, and amounts agreed upon between the parties.
In other business, the board:
• Approved a $96,600 quote from W Enterprises, Crawfordsville, for demolition work on a portion of the building at 1201 E. Elmore St.
• Learned no bids were received for the purchase and sale of 508 John St.
• Approved multiple mowing work order requests for the following properties: 601 Robinson St., owned by Wiper Corp.; 1506 E. College St., owned by Sarah Schaff; 406 S. Walnut St., owned by John Deck; 201 McCormick Drive, owned by Brandon and Nicole Spivey; and 108 W. Franklin St., owned by Stephanie Pool.
• Learned the Farmers Market will open for the season Saturday at Pike Place. The market is open 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday, weather permitting, through October. Pike Street is closed from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays to allow for vendor set up and tear down.
