Robbinsville – Things are continuing to look good for the Robbinsville Middle School 6th-grade wing project, even as other county projects continue to face issues.
In his update at the Graham County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday night, County Project Manager Jason Marino said he was close to being ready to go forward with the $4,681,348 project.
In January, the board approved additional financing to fill a $103,670.25, increasing the local match to $1,170,337.25.
“Everything is pretty much a go with the initial funding,” Marino said. “It’s all been presented to the contractor, and they’re in the process now of scheduling. The intent its probably to start on the metal building first over there below the bus garage.”
He said he hoped to se the contractor start in the spring. The project is being handled by the Sylva-based firm Western Builders.
However, he said new issues had arisen with another ongoing county project, the metal recreation building. He said despite continued negotiation with the contractor and value engineering, he was not able to get the cost down.
The most recent proposal actually shows an increase of $1,400, on top of Aldridge Brothers’ initial $341,442 bid.
He said the bulk of the issue had to do with longer lead times on parts and increases in construction costs, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Marino said that while the building was originally anticipated to cost approximately $110 per square foot, the cost was now approximately $180 per square foot.
“We’re kind of at a bad spot here,” Marino said. “We’re trying to do this. A lot of people are saying this summer, constantly that prices are going to go down, but no one knows that. We don’t know that for sure.”
He suggested the possibility of conducting the project internally – hiring subcontractors who would work under his contractor’s license, rather than hiring an outside contractor. He said he felt that was the best option, and that he would support it if the board agreed to do so.
Marino also said he would reach out to other contractors to see if they could do the project for less money, emphasizing that they could still cancel the contract with Aldridge Brothers, since no agreement on the firm completing the project had been signed. The board voted to enter negotiations with Aldridge Brothers, toward lowering the price.
Zoning decision
The board also voted against entering a cooperation agreement with the Town of Lake Santeetlah, regarding disagreements over the county holding building permits before a zoning certificate was issued within the municipality. The vote followed a closed session.
Several Santeetlah Town Council Members and other concerned residents spoke with the board on the issue during its workshop session.