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Library's Expansion | Newspaper Articles
Bids for library opened - Offers higher than expected
Matthew Bruun, Telegram & Gazette, June 10, 2005
LEOMINSTER - Library officials will meet next week to
discuss the construction bids that were opened yesterday at
City Hall, showing prices that were slightly higher than had
been estimated for the major expansion and renovation
project.
Fontaine Bros. of Springfield submitted the low bid of
$9,077,000, purchasing agent Gregory C. Chapdelaine said.
There were three bids for general contracting services, with
the other bids $500,000 and $800,000 higher than
Fontaine's.The estimated $10.8 million price tag for the
project includes construction as well as furnishings,
telecommunications and wiring for the building, which will
double the size of the facility at 30 West St. The $10.8
million sum also includes 16 months of rent for the
library's temporary quarters at the Crossroads Office Park
on Mechanic Street.
Before bids were sought, officials estimated construction
costs would be around $8.5 million.
Library Director Susan T. Shelton was among those in
attendance when Mr. Chapdelaine opened the bids yesterday
morning.
"It is higher than we estimated," she said. The building
committee will discuss the bids next week, she continued,
but the difference between early projections and the
contract cost will likely be covered by increased private
fund-raising.
Mr. Chapdelaine said he was happy with the bids, noting he
had girded himself for a steeper price because of rising
costs of oil, wood and steel.
"We thought that would drive the price more," he said. "I
look at these as very aggressive pricing, to our benefit."
Fontaine Bros. is a familiar name in public buildings. The
contractor built the $22 million Sky View Middle School in
Leominster and is also building the new public library in
Lunenburg.
Mr. Chapdelaine said the contractor's familiarity with
Leominster and the proximity of its equipment to an ongoing
site likely helped in keeping the bid low.
Ms. Shelton said ground could be broken as soon as next
month on the project.
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