Bid allows for some changes to downtown work

By By Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle officials are banking on a revamped bid to bring a downtown renovation project under budget.
The city is in the process of letting new bids for the renovation project that includes new sidewalk canopies and landscaping. A previous bid had only one response and came in some $293,000 over budget.
In response to the high cost, Mayor Dwight Tankersley said some changes are being made to help lower the cost. The alterations won’t be obvious in the finished project but will involve some changes in the structural and material requirements that will hopefully lower the cost.
Tankersley said the city has also altered the wording of the bid to allow changes in what will be done during the first phase of work.
The bid originally included Railroad Street to Hickory Street. An option has now been added to include Railroad to Sparkman with alternates to include Sparkman south to Hickory Street and Sparkman Street north to Hickory Street.
A portion of the money for the multi-phase project is coming through state grant funds. Tankersley said depending on how to bids come in, more work may be moved into the second phase.
The bids are set to be opened May 15.