Contract let for library work

City officials have awarded a construction contract for a major renovation project at Mount Airy Public Library, for a sum less than a state allocation for the job.

The Mount Airy Board of Commissioners voted unanimously last Thursday night to have the work performed by Simcon Co., LLC.

City Manager Darren Lewis said the locally based firm was the lowest responsible bidder for the biggest such undertaking at the solar-powered library since its construction in the early 1980s.

“It’s pretty much a makeover of the whole interior of the library,” Lewis said of the facility that is owned and maintained by the city government but operated through the Northwest Regional Library system.

The project will target floor, roof and ceiling work; replacement of windows; removing walls; electrical work; removing the concrete base from existing shelving units; removing doors; installing new storefront units; and more, according to bid documents.

Lewis said furniture upgrades also are included along with exterior landscaping.

Simcon was one of six bidders for the renovations, which also included Colt Simmons Construction, Bar Construction, Garanco, J.G. Coram Construction and Tony Willard Construction — a process Lewis called “very competitive.”

It submitted a total bid of $1.32 million, which also includes two alternates, or additions, to the base, for a coffee shop involving local Blue Bear students and extra light figures.

“We were fortunate that the bids came in below our $1.5 million grant,” the city manager said of an appropriation to fund the project by the state Legislature last year.

To start soon

Simcon also proposed the shortest timetable for completion of the project, 120 days.

“We’re looking at hopefully starting this project around the first of December,” Lewis advised, adding that the city government is “excited” to see it move forward.

He urged the awarding of the contract last Thursday to “ensure the timely and successful completion” of the library work.

While approving the construction contract, concern was expressed among the board about the impact on the library staff.

“Are they going to be able to get the work done they need done with this?” Commissioner Chad Hutchens said.

“I think we’ve identified all the major needs that are needed for the library,” Lewis responded regarding the upfit, and looking forward to “what’s going to get accomplished.”