Commissioners review Olive Street remodel plans and $1.14 million construction estimate

County commissioners reviewed architectural drawings and an itemized construction estimate March 17 for the proposed Olive Street building remodel and approved submission of plans to the Wood County Building Department.

Eric Trout, representing Peterman Architectural Services, presented the drawings and walked commissioners through Division No. line items and the base-bid estimate. The architect’s line-item subtotal for work (Divisions 2–40) totaled $831,839.29; after a 20% prevailing-wage labor increase, a 10% general-conditions allowance and a 20% contingency the total project construction estimate shown in the document is $1,139,619.83. An add-alternate for a wrap-around building canopy was estimated at $56,323.93.

Commissioner William Bateson asked for more clarification on several construction estimates and proposed meeting with each department that will occupy the building to reduce scope and cost per square foot; Commissioner Jeffrey Hunker agreed. The board approved that Trout submit plans to the Wood County Building Department; Trout said he will pay the submittal fee and be reimbursed by the county.

The estimate provided to the board itemizes common divisions (concrete, finishes, HVAC, electrical, fire suppression/security and exterior improvements) and lists a substantial allowance for mechanical and HVAC work. The document submitted at the meeting shows the architect did not include certain security and information-technology items in the base estimate because the county IT department expects to complete that work.

Next steps: commissioners requested additional departmental-space and cost clarifications and departmental meetings to review occupancy needs before finalizing a contractor procurement plan; the board authorized plan submission to the building department to begin permitting.