YEDC approves contractor for downtown office

  • The project scope includes improvements to the office space adjacent to the Cricket Wireless storefront downtown at 215 West Grand Ave.
    The project scope includes improvements to the office space adjacent to the Cricket Wireless storefront downtown at 215 West Grand Ave.
  • YEDC Executive Director Terry Stokes discussed bids for improvements to future YEDC offices at 215 West Grand Ave. during Monday’s meeting.
    YEDC Executive Director Terry Stokes discussed bids for improvements to future YEDC offices at 215 West Grand Ave. during Monday’s meeting.

     

    The Yoakum Economic Development Corporation approved up to $21,350 for improvements to their future headquarters downtown at Monday’s meeting.

     

    The board approved a bid from Ibarra/Tanner Labor and Materials after the contractor initially approved for the project in March unexpectedly stopped communication with the YEDC. 

     

    The project scope includes improvements to lighting, plumbing, ventilation, bathrooms, floors, walls, paint, and more for the office adjacent to the Cricket Wireless storefront downtown at 215 West Grand Ave.

     

    “Long story short, we had someone that had been identified (to) do the bulk of the interior work…,” said YEDC Executive Director Terry Stokes during the meeting. “They went AWOL, and (we) have not been able to unearth them wherever they went.”

     

    The bid discussed on Monday came in approximately $5 thousand more than the initial bid approved in March; the board approved a not-to-exceed amount in case a more affordable price is received from another contractor.

     

    “We can approve not-to-exceed this; if (the new bid) comes in less, then we go with it,” said Director Carl O’Neill. “If this is the best (bid), then we can still move forward with it.”

     

    Stokes explained that a prompt decision would be beneficial to avoid bids increasing with time in response to general price hikes. 

     

    The executive director estimated that the project only required 90 days of work and could be completed by mid-Autumn.  He said he hoped the YEDC’s relocation downtown would encourage businesses to follow.