ERIN – Council has approved an extra $60,000 in debt to finance construction of an elevator at town hall.
The total budget for the project has risen from $250,000 to $310,000 after a tendering process in which the lowest two construction bids were not accepted.
The elevator near the main entrance will make the lower level of the building accessible to those with disabilities. It is required by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, which aims to make public spaces more accessible by 2025.
Through tenders last year, A. Fazel Architect was hired to design and coordinate the job for $29,000, and Headwaters Elevators was engaged to build the elevator itself for $44,200.
A request for proposal for the construction generated only one bid last August, but after it was re-posted in January there were six bids, ranging from $196,800 to $361,000.
After reviewing the bids, staff recommended the contract be awarded to Ritestart Limited for $223,000, the third lowest bid. Councillors requested an explanation at on Feb. 19.
Chief building official Paul Evans said he is not sure why the bids were generally higher than predicted. He said the Ritestart bid was preferred since it had the correct documentation, with no additional pricing, and the firm has experience with municipal projects in Waterloo, Hamilton, Guelph, Brampton and at the Dufferin County Museum.
“Ritestart has recognized one of the most important facets of the Erin alterations; the delineation between public areas and work (construction) areas,” said Evans.
“The company has indicated that they have the experience to ensure that proper hoarding and public safety will be maintained at all times.”
The project includes a new stairway next to the elevator. There will be a period of one or two months with no convenient public access to the lower level, so services such as the building department will be temporarily moved to the main level.
The project budget, which includes contingency funds of about $10,000, was always intended to be financed through debt, so the higher costs will also be covered by debt.
The town had hoped to obtain a provincial grant to offset the cost of the elevator, but it was not successful.
