The Hopkins County-Madisonville Public Library Board is moving forward towards accepting contractors' bids after reducing the costs of the project.
The board was forced to reject bids for construction of the library’s new location last month after the bids were way above the board’s available funds. Library Director Joel Meador said the project currently has about $450,000 available after allotting $50,000 toward architect and engineering fees, so the bids need to come within a $340,000 to $380,000 price range. That is to be sure the board has breathing room for any additional costs. Meador said the board moved to approve the project’s revised cost list prepared by the Hopkins County Community Development Director.
“He spent some time speaking with the architect, the engineer involved, city officials, county officials, and came up with a list of essential things we know we’re going to need," said Meador. "And then there’s other things he made a list for, things that aren’t so critical at this point that can be done later down the road when more money is available.”
Meador says most of the cuts were non-essential items including one of the most expensive costs, a new outside entrance, which he said is being postponed to another phase along with other beautification aspects of the new building.
The library board has had a host of troubles in the last year including a stop to construction in March 2013 because of an investigation by the Kentucky Labor Cabinet into a prevailing wage dispute. Meador says the building committee hopes to re-advertise the project within the next few weeks.
