Metal building bid for new jail comes in low

Tammy Helm/Tribune photo Kevin Rost, associate senior project manager with Goldberg Group Associates Inc. reported Thursday the metal building portion of the new jail project will cost $200,000 less than expected. Pictured during a project progress meeting are, from left, Sheriff Bill Martin, Rost, GGA Associate Architecture Production; Universal Construction Company Project Leader Gary Walker, and First District Commission Lynne Oharah.

County officials learned Thursday the cost of the metal building portion of the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center project is going to be $200,000 less than the estimated budget.

During a progress meeting for the project, Kevin Rost, associate senior project manager with Goldberg Group Architects PC of St. Joseph, Mo., and Gary Walker, project leader with Universal Construction Company of Lenexa, updated county officials on where the project stands.

The meeting with First District Commissioner Lynne Oharah, Sheriff Bill Martin and Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center Captain Alvin Metcalf Jr. followed a groundbreaking ceremony at the site located at 323 E. 20th St.

Even though may appear to the public that not much is happening with the project, Rost and Walker said there is a lot going on behind the scenes. Bids are being reviewed for many portions of the projects. Walker said he should have firm numbers by July 1.

Innovative Construction Services of Wichita has been awarded the metal building bid for $537,824. Rost said the metal building bid has been locked in before prices increase again. Rost said one metal building company has seen prices increase 50 to 60 percent since January and Walker said prices are expected to take another hike within the next 25 to 30 days. Rost said the increase will affect many parts of the project, including HVAC.

"Credit to Universal, they used their credentials to get this guys locked in before that increase," Rost said.