Site work and new construction of a municipal facility in Granite Falls, Minnesota. Completed plans call for the construction of a 6,400-square-foot municipal facility; and for site work for a municipal facility.

https://www.wctrib.com/news/local/yellow-medicine-county-approves-2-5m-highway-office-project Yellow Medicine County approves $2.5M highway office project Competitive bidding helped keep costs down for construction project that was delayed due to sticker shock at rising costs one year ago A project delayed by sticker shock over rising construction costs will now go forward after competitive bidding helped keep costs below the most recent engineer's estimate. The Yellow Medicine County Board of Commissioners at its meeting on Jan. 23 approved the low bid of Kue Contractors, of Watkins, to build a Highway Department office building in Granite Falls. Archie Bush completed studies at the Duluth Business University at age 22 and immediately went to work for Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing in 1909 at a starting salary of $11.55 per week. Newly-published story of early Granite Falls, Minnesota, philanthropist, entrepreneur Archie Bush a real find Kue was one of eight bidders for the project. The company offered a base bid of $2,468,234 for the project along with awarded alternate bids of $38,393 for stone masonry on the public-facing north and east sides of the building and $18,640 for a backup boiler for future expansion. The overall project will cost $3 million including projected costs of $474,733 for architectural fees, inspections, and technology and furnishings to be installed. "A very successful bid day," project engineer Jacob Wollensak, of Wold Architects and Engineers, told the commissioners. He pointed out that the base bid was below the most recent estimate of $2.7 million for the project and the goal of keeping construction costs close to $2.5 million. He credited "good competition" for keeping the costs down. The roughly 6,400-square-foot, pre-engineered metal building will be constructed adjacent to the current office building. Construction should begin in late spring, Wollensak said. The project is the first phase of work being proposed for the Highway Department facility. The county is considering future improvements to the shop and storage buildings that adjoin the current office building. The new office also will be connected to the existing buildings in the future. The Highway Department office was constructed in 1967. There have been very few upgrades since its opening. The heating, cooling and ventilation and electrical systems were among the concerns cited when the project was undertaken. The engineers provided a $2.5 million overall estimate for costs one year ago this month. The higher-than-anticipated estimate at that time led the commissioners to re-examine the project. Commissioner Ron Antony authored the motion to award the project Tuesday after expressing the shared concerns about construction costs. "We've been talking about this for a while," he said of the project. "No one wants to spend money like this." He was joined by Commissioner Glen Kack on making the motion. Commissioners John Berends and Greg Renneke voted in favor of awarding the bid. Renneke also voiced concerns about the costs, but said the savings the county had realized on the previous Justice Center and County Office Building projects helped justify the latest expenditure. Commissioner Mitch Kling voted no, but said he had no opposition to the project going forward. He said he believes it will cost the county more by doing the Highway Department improvements as a phased project. He said he would have liked to see all of the needed improvements considered as one project, along with an overall assessment of other building needs in the county. Kling also cited concerns about the Farm Service Agency office building in Clarkfield and a county shop building in Wood Lake. __________________________________ This project includes: Construction of a new office facility of approximately 6,400 GSF, at the existing Highway Department campus in Granite Falls, Minnesota. Make proposals on the bid forms supplied in the Project Manual. No oral, telegraphic or telephonic proposals or modifications will be considered. Submit with each bid, a certified check or acceptable bidder's bond payable to Yellow Medicine County in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the total bid. The successful bidder will be required to furnish satisfactory Labor and Material Payment Bond, and Performance Bond. The Owner requires Substantial Completion of the project on or before December 1, 2024. Bids may not be withdrawn within thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of opening bids, without the consent of the Owner. The Owner reserves the right to accept any bid or to reject any or all bids, or parts of such bids, and waive informalities or irregularities in bidding.