Contractor Selected For Edmond Town Hall Elevator

By Jan Howard

The Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers on June 29 voted to recommend to Finance Director Ben Spragg that the contract for building an elevator for the town hall addition be awarded to the LaRosa Building Group of Meriden for $1,341,500.

Five bids were received. LaRosa was the lowest qualified bidder, according to Marci Becker, administrative assistant to the Board of Managers.

There were three parts to the bid, the elevator addition, an emergency generator, and façade restoration. Only two parts were approved, however, the elevator and the generator, Tom Mahoney, building manager, said. The project has a budget of $1.5 million, $1 million from the town that was appropriated in 2001 and $500,000 from a Small Cities Grant from the state.

To allow for any contingencies, the board decided to exclude the façade renovation at this time, which reduced the cost to a base bid of $1,297,000 plus $44,500 for the generator.

Mr Spragg said Wednesday that he has received a letter from the board recommending the project. He said the next step would be to meet with First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, and, if all goes well, the award would be made next week.

“We have to make sure there is enough money and that we stay within the budgeted figure,” Mr Spragg said. A letter has also been sent to Wagner & Associates, which is to oversee the Small Cities Grant.

“We have to be cautious there are no issues with the Small Cities Grant,” Mr Spragg said.

The elevator project now consists of construction of a new elevator and walkway adjacent to the restored marble terrace on the north side of the town hall to provide accessibility for the disabled, which would bring the building into compliance with guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Connecticut Building Code, and generator. The cost includes repaving of the entrance driveway.

“We will be very handicapped accessible,” Mr Mahoney said. The elevator will also be accessible to the gymnasium level, he noted.

“This will make it easier for handicapped people,” he said. “It will be a real asset.”

The architect is Alan Black Architects of Newtown.

Work is expected to begin sometime in July, perhaps as early as the second week, Mr Mahoney said. The estimated completion is the end of December.

The entrance driveway will be open at all times, he said.

The first construction project will be a temporary ADA accessible ramp at the front of the building to permit access while construction work is in progress.

The generator will also be among the first projects in case it is needed for the building during the construction, he said.

“Alan Black has done a great job,” Mr Mahoney said. “He matched the brickwork and roof slate. Everything will look like it’s always been there.”