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St. Bernard board weighs using state‑contract vendor to speed demolition
Summary
Board members discussed using a contractor on a state contract (Prodigy Group) to accelerate demolition of properties at 4901–4911 Vine and whether that would meet competitive‑bidding requirements tied to Hamilton County and Ohio grant funding; members agreed to verify compliance and form a small RFP subcommittee.
St. Bernard Community Improvement Corporation board members spent the meeting discussing procurement options to accelerate demolition at several properties covered by a grant.
Tim (wman), who presented draft RFP templates and said he had met with local officials and the contractor the group has identified as Prodigy Group, told members "they thought they could get the first phase of the demolition started before the end of the year," and described Prodigy Group as working from a state contract that could shorten procurement and mobilization timelines. He said the firm represents that its pricing and subcontractors are preapproved under the state's bidding process.
That option prompted questions about compliance with grant requirements. Board members noted the project is funded through Hamilton County and an Ohio demolition program and agreed they must confirm whether contracting through a state‑level contract satisfies the competitive‑bidding terms attached to those grants. One member said the county has staff familiar with the grants and recommended asking county contacts for clarification before awarding work.
The board also discussed forming a small subcommittee to use the draft RFP templates Tim supplied, to draft or vet a procurement document if needed. Members suggested that consulting county grant administrators (the transcript names county staff Cali Adamson and Holly Chrisman as contacts) could quickly resolve whether a separate public RFP is required. The board said a formal written response from the state on funding and timing is still pending and that exact award amounts were not specified in the meeting.
Members reported that relocation work for Ace Cash Express has advanced: the relocation specialist, Kathleen, was not present because she was meeting with Hamilton County, but board members said Cushman & Wakefield representatives and Ace Cash Express management had been looking at potential physical locations.
Why it matters: Using an existing state contract can shorten procurement time and reduce administrative steps, but federal, state or county grant rules often require specific competitive processes; the board must verify compliance before proceeding. The outcome: the board agreed to verify grant procurement rules with county staff and to form a small committee to develop or vet an RFP using the templates provided.
Quotes: "They thought they could get the first phase of the demolition started before the end of the year," Tim said. "I believe that their process is compliant with whatever needs to be done for that grant," he added, while noting he would double‑check county and grant requirements.
Next steps: Board members agreed to ask Hamilton County staff for immediate clarification and to convene a subcommittee to refine procurement documents and oversee the RFP process if needed.
