Wildwood planners report wide bid spread for Essen log cabin reassembly; department to negotiate with midrange contractors

The Department of Planning told the Historic Preservation Commission that four bids were received for the planned reassembly of the Essen log cabin and that the bids varied widely, leaving the city without a single clear recommendation.

Planning Department staff told commissioners one bid came in at "a hundred and $44,000," an amount staff said was "much less than we had thought" and a potential red flag, while the high bid approached "$500,000." Staff said two middle bidders — Bombshell Construction and a firm identified in the record as Charette (also referenced as Charette/Charrette Creek in meeting materials) — submitted proposals within roughly $5,000 of each other.

The variation matters because it leaves uncertainty about the true project cost and contractor experience needed for historic reassembly. Planning staff said work required rebuilding the foundation, reconstructing trussed roof structures, and addressing missing logs — tasks that demand specialized experience.

Planning staff recounted that the department took the bids to the Planning and Parks committee for initial review. Committee members endorsed a multi-step approach summarized in the department memorandum: eliminate the low bid from further consideration if warranted by references and project fit; negotiate with the two midrange bidders to seek cost reductions or clarifications; and, if necessary, recommend shifting funds within the 2025 capital improvements program to cover the shortfall. Staff said Bombshell Construction could offer savings from reduced mobilization costs because they are working nearby on Village Green Phase 1.

No formal recommendation for award was presented to the commission at the meeting. Planning staff said they planned to contact the principal bidders and to return with a contractor recommendation after negotiations and any capital-program adjustments. The department also indicated the process could take another month or two.

Commissioners asked about drivers of the higher bids; staff answered that most of the added cost outside of visible repairs is work on hidden structural components and a need for skilled labor for historic materials and joinery. Staff noted some interior modernizations (for safety and code compliance) are likely to be nonhistorical "camouflage" work and will affect costs.

Planning staff closed by thanking commission members for their input on the bid documents and said the department would present a recommendation when negotiations conclude.

Ending — Next steps: Planning staff will continue negotiating with the two midrange bidders, vet references, and explore capital improvements program adjustments; the commission will receive a recommendation once staff completes negotiations and any fund-source adjustments.