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Council approves $625,800 geothermal HVAC contract for Brick Market amid cost questions
Summary
After debate over cost and a clerical rent error in the packet, the council approved a $625,800 contract to replace the Brick Market building HVAC with a geothermal system and to make related accessibility upgrades. Councilors pressed staff for a detailed bid breakdown and were told two bids were received.
The council voted to award a $625,800 contract for a geothermal HVAC replacement and related accessibility upgrades at the Brick Market building, and earlier approved a lease with the Newport Historical Society that amortizes the work. Several councilors said the total appeared high and asked staff for a line-item breakdown of labor, equipment and site-condition costs; staff responded that historic building constraints and difficult site access contributed to higher bids and that two offers had been received.
Councilor Carlin voiced concern about the price and requested the contractor or staff provide more detailed cost components; public services staff said the initial RFP drew only two bids and that the low bidder’s number was comparable for the complexity of the work. Council approved the contract but directed staff to circulate bid details and engineering justification to the council.
