Published: July 03, 2008 10:37 pm         

Eight look to build new HRDC facility

Building expected to be comleted by Dec. 2009

On paper, they’re all pretty close.

The divide may widen, however, when the nuts and bolts of the proposals are examined.

Dan Lewellen, deputy director for the Allegany County Human Resources Development Commission Inc., opened eight bids Thursday afternoon, all from contractors interested in constructing the nonprofit agency’s new facility at 125 Virginia Ave.

The lowest bid comes from Rycon Construction of Pittsburgh at a little more than $5.13 million, followed closely by Carl Belt’s bid of $5.19 million. The highest bid, which was $540,000 more than Rycon’s, came from Palmer Construction of McConnellsburg, Pa.

Listed in the random order in which they were opened, the bids are:

• TEDCO, Carnegie, Pa. — $5,294,000

• Palmer Construction, McConnellsburg — $5,675,000

• Lashley Construction, Frostburg — $5,340,000

• Carl Belt, Cumberland — $5,190,000

• Leonard S. Fiore, Altoona, Pa. — $5,328,000

• Rycon Construction, Pittsburgh — $5,135,000

• Brechbill & Helman, Chambersburg, Pa. — $5,309,850

• Langan General Contractors, Wiley Ford, W.Va. — $5,640,000

HRDC’s eight-member building committee will meet to determine the “lowest responsible bidder,” and the proposed general contractor will be notified by end of business July 15. That bid will go to the Maryland Department of General Services for review, followed by the Maryland Board of Public Works, which will give the final approval.

Lewellen expects the contract to be on one of the board’s August meetings. Once the board gives its blessing, construction can begin.

The expectation is the new 19,333-square-foot facility will be ready December 2009.

A ceremonial groundbreaking was held Tuesday on the site, which is adjacent to the post office.

HRDC leases its headquarters at 19 Frederick St. from the city and has paid rent, which currently is about $3,000 a month, since 2004. Once vacant, the city will need to determine what will become of the building, with the possibility that it will be marketed and sold.

A 2005 appraisal valued the building at a little less than $700,000.

In May, city officials received a letter of interest from John Laughlin, founder of Ridgecrest Investments Inc., an equity investment firm based in Frederick.

Contact Maria Smith at msmith@times-news.com.