Committee moves to solicit bids to demolish two campus buildings, with option to include third

The Campus Redevelopment Committee voted to solicit bids to demolish the campus library and classroom buildings and asked bidders to include an option to demolish the Science Building based on a consultant recommendation.

The committee’s motion to go out for bids on the two buildings, with the Science Building included as an add‑option, was made by committee member Gary and seconded by committee member Bob; members approved the motion by voice vote and directed staff to forward the recommendation to the executive committee and to the full board for further action.

Why it matters: committee members said removing the two buildings before winter would reduce ongoing utility and maintenance costs and would allow hazardous‑material remediation to proceed. Committee staff and maintenance raised practical issues — disconnecting utilities, asbestos abatement and salvage of reusable materials — that must be handled before demolition contractors begin work.

Committee discussion and supporting details centered on sequencing and cost. Staff said they have preliminary contractor estimates but no locked bids; the discussion noted an overall demolition cost range "probably 2 to 300,000" for the immediate work but that final pricing would come from competitive bids that must include remediation costs for asbestos and other hazardous materials. Members said utility disconnection (water, electric and internet) should be cut for the classroom and library before demolition and that the Science Building has a separate service that may be easier to manage later.

Staff reported they had talked with Miller Electric about disconnect work and with city officials about utility terminations. The committee agreed the utilities cutoff and some disconnect work may be performed outside the formal demolition bid process, and that staff should pursue those disconnects separately if feasible. Members also discussed recovery of salvageable items (ceiling tile, fixtures and other components) and the potential for contractors to size and stage demolition debris for reuse in road base or other county uses rather than ordinary disposal.

The committee directed staff to prepare an RFP that: solicits base bids to demolish the library and classroom buildings; includes a priced option for the Science Building; lists hazardous‑materials remediation as a required bid component; and assumes contractors will coordinate with county maintenance on salvage requests.

Next steps: staff will prepare the RFP and return recommendations to the executive committee and the full board; the committee discussed timing to try to complete utility disconnects and initial demolition work before winter.