The Delaware County Board of Commissioners voted to approve an invitation to bid for renovations to the Willis Building, the board announced at its Sept. 8 meeting.
The action, recorded as Resolution 25-724, will send construction documents to bid after design completion and move the project forward in three phases designed to minimize disruption to elections operations.
John Melvin, director of facilities, told the commissioners that MA Design has completed the construction documents and the county is ready to go out to bid. “MA Design has completed the construction documents and ready to go out to bid for the renovations at the Willis Building,” Melvin said. He described a three-phase schedule that is intended to work around election dates and protect election equipment.
Melvin said the timeline is to award a contract so work can begin in November after the November election, relocate voting machines to a secure off-site location, and prepare the north end of the building (the warehouse) so staff can return by the May primary in 2026. Phase 2 would then address the former warehouse and early vote center areas, with subsequent work on the office area after the November certification. Melvin described the projected overall completion as “early 2027.”
He also said exterior work will include parking-lot repairs, new site lighting, a new front façade and bollards for security and safety at the building’s front.
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the invitation to bid. Commissioner Merrill and Commissioner Lewis each recorded aye votes; Commissioner Benton was absent for the item.
Why this matters: the Willis Building houses county functions that intersect with election operations. The phased approach is intended to avoid disrupting voter services and the contractor schedule ties to primary and general election dates.
Background and next steps: with the resolution approved, the county will advertise the project for bids and return to the board for contract award. The facilities director indicated relocation of voting machines to an off-site secure location before major construction begins.