Caldwell County authorizes contract with low bidder for emergency shelter; estimate near $17 million

Caldwell County Commissioners on Sept. 10 authorized the county judge to enter a contract with the recommended general contractor for the county’s Emergency Shelter project funded through a GLO‑CDBG grant.

Scott Miller (Rancho Development), representing the Bollinger development and project team, briefed the court about the development and said phase 1 is paved and homebuilding will begin soon. Purchasing staff reported four bidders for the shelter project; Century Construction submitted the lowest responsive bid in the roughly $17 million range while other bidders submitted proposals in the $18.2 million range and higher.

County staff said the low bidder answered follow-up questions satisfactorily despite being considerably lower than others and recommended authorization for the judge to execute the contract. Commissioners authorized that action and the court voted to proceed. The judge said staff expect to break ground in October.

The contract authorization covers construction of a co-located PSAP and an evacuation center intended to serve as an emergency operations/relief resource, with restroom facilities, a pavilion, playscape, parking and other minimum amenities included in the planned community building. Staff said more detailed backup documents are on file and will be retrieved for records.

Next steps: county staff will finalize the contract documents and execute the agreement, coordinate with the contractor on a schedule, and begin preconstruction activities ahead of an anticipated October groundbreaking.