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County authorizes RFP for design-build highway shop at Mispah; preliminary budget near $500,000
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Summary
The Christian County Board on Jan. 14 authorized the highway department to request proposals for a new design-build shop in Mispah. Highway staff described a planned 56-by-80-foot heated building with slab, in-floor heat and overhead doors to replace an older, flood-prone shop. Preliminary estimates put the project near $500,000 before potential
The Christian County Board of Commissioners authorized the highway department to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for a design-build shop in Mispah during its Jan. 14 meeting.
Highway staff said the new facility is sized at roughly 56 by 80 feet with insulated walls, a poured slab with in-floor heat and large vehicle doors. The project is intended to replace the current shop, which staff said suffers from frequent spring flooding, limited space (32-by-60 feet with 13-foot sidewalls) and rust and maintenance issues that affect equipment longevity.
"On average in the springtime, if we leave for a weekend, it's guaranteed it's gonna have 1 to 4 inches [of water] when you come back," a highway presenter said, describing flooding at the existing site. Staff indicated the new shop would be sited in the current lay-down yard just west of the existing shop and cold storage; the older building would be removed or potentially salvaged for parts.
Preliminary budget figures provided by staff show a construction estimate "about a half $1,000,000" (presented in the meeting as roughly $500,000), which the highway presenter said aligns with the amount budgeted. The presenter said approximately 78% of the building cost may be eligible for State Aid Construction funding, with the remainder from local funds; staff noted additional site work could include sewer upgrades and drilling a new well if necessary.
The board voted to issue the RFP and return for final project approval; commissioners asked about building materials, span options, overhead door sizes and whether the county might later acquire a larger state-owned shop as an alternative (MnDOT projected a new facility in Northholme in a later timeframe). Staff said bid solicitations will allow options for truss types and construction materials and that they will return with bids and site-preparation estimates before construction begins.
Motion to authorize the RFP passed by voice vote; staff will request bids, evaluate trade-in options and present a recommendation back to the board for final award and funding authorization.
