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Council tables municipal office renovation after bids far exceed estimates
Summary
Councilors voted to table action on renovating the town's municipal office building after negotiated low bids remained well above the original $2.5–3M estimate; the lowest negotiated scope was $4.6M with a $757,000 HVAC deduct.
The North Kingstown Town Council on Monday voted to table a decision on a proposed renovation of the municipal office building after construction bids came in far above earlier cost estimates.
Public Works Director Adam White and Town Manager Ralph Mollis reviewed bids during new business. Early project estimates had been $2.5–$3 million; a first low bid arrived at about $6.2 million and, after competitive negotiations and scope reductions, the low negotiated price was $4.6 million. White said contractors identified the HVAC work as a principal cost driver and offered a deduct of $757,000 for a reduced HVAC scope.
Mollis and White presented options including awarding the reduced-scope $4.6 million contract, accepting a further reduced $3.9 million scope (reducing the HVAC work), or tabling the project and selecting individual, smaller projects from existing funds. Mollis said that, given the building’s insurance assessment and the prospect of constructing a new facility, he was uncomfortable committing major funds to the current structure at this time.
Council discussion reflected concern about investing more into what several members described as a temporary or former school-administration building; several members expressed a preference to table the award and explore alternatives. A motion to table the matter carried by voice vote.
Mollis and Public Works staff said they will continue to analyze options and return to the council with prioritized smaller projects for individual bid approvals.
