Story - The Meade County Messenger


Vol. 119. No.33	August 18 , 2010

Board awards new library
construction contract - to seek sale of $4.2 million in bonds

The Meade County Library Board convened Aug. 5 to review bids for the new library project.
According to Kenny Stanfield, lead architect for the project from Sherman, Carter and Barnhart, the request for bids went out about a month ago, and had 14 respondents.

The request was for a base bid, along with bids for nine “alternate” projects including a metal roof, a digital message sign, concrete paving, landscaping, an asphalt walking path, pergolas, and specially insulated “nanogel” window systems.

“We built these alternates into the process, so if the bids were to come in high, the board could choose what it wanted to keep the project within costs,” said Stanfield.

“The alternates include both ‘very important’ or ‘nice to haves’,” explained board president Sandra Stone. “This building is going to be beautiful, functional, energy and energy-efficient. And we’ve done a lot to ensure that it will be environmentally responsible, too.”

The board selected four alternate projects to include in the project: both site and architectural pergola options; an asphalt walking path, landscaping, and nanogel insulated translucent sandwich panel systems.

The bid process was further standardized by requiring verification of authorized signatories, the acknowledgement of two additional addendums, and a 5-percent bid bond.
All proposals received met that criteria according to Stanfield.

Ultimately, the board voted unanimously to award the contract to Morel Construction Company, Inc., Louisville, who had the lowest bid of $3.486 million. Morel most recently worked with Sherman Carter and Barnhart on Flaherty Elementary School. The company also constructed the high school theater.

The difference between Morel’s bid, and the highest bid received from Martin Construction Company was $1.114 million.

“We’re extremely happy with the bids,” said board member Barry Hahn. “Things have fallen into place better than we ever thought they would. I should add that the city has been a big help to us in making this the best location it can be.”

The board also authorized Rubin and Hays, Louisville, to proceed with the sale of $4.2 million in 30-year bonds on Aug. 24, with U.S. Bank of Louisville as the paying agent.

The financing initially was to partially include federal “Recovery Zone” bonds. Earlier this year, the Meade County Fiscal Court authorized the library to use the county’s allocation of the economic recovery bonds, which have a 45-percent subsidy of interest rates. However, it was determined that the federal money came with federal strings, including the payment of the prevailing federal wage rate.

“If that’s the worst thing that happens, we’ll be okay,” said Stone, during the meeting.

The project will include Build America Bonds, which have a subsidy for the life of the loan, and only require prevailing state wage-rates.

Construction on the project could begin almost immediately after the bond sale, according to Stanfield, who estimated the project would take about a year to complete.

“This is the best time of the year to get construction started and get a pad put in place,” he added.
The library will be located on Old Ekron Road, across from the Meade County Extension office. The 25,000 square foot building will feature several two program/community rooms, a full-service cafe, a genealogy room, a children’s room and activity area, a room for teenagers, and a game room, among others.

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