Winona Revises Park Avenue, Town Hall Plans

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer-

WINONA LAKE - The best laid plans often require some changes before they're implemented. Such was the case for the town council last night.

Major revisions to two proposed projects were discussed to make them more financially feasible in light of the town's needs.

All bids received for the renovation of the town's Quonset hut into the new city building were rejected on the advice of the project management firm, Scearce-Rudisel Inc. Mary Ellen Rudisel told the council that making some major revisions in the plans could save a substantial amount of money off the cost of the project.

The low bid was received by Tecton Corp. of Fort Wayne for $428,000. The council anticipated a $250,000 cost for the renovation.

"By recessing the entrance into the interior of the building, instead of constructing one, would save a sizable amount of dollars," Rudisel said. "You can also do away with the mechanical mezzanine and put the mechanical equipment in a room on the first floor to save a substantial amount of money."

Because those changes would constitute a major revision - more than 20 percent of the project's total cost - the project must be rebid, said Jim Walmer, town attorney.

The board also approved the revised contract amount for the continuing rehabilitation of Park Avenue.

Phend and Brown Inc. originally bid $420,000 for the next phase of the Park Avenue project. However, the council revised the scope of the project to reduce the cost to $375,000. The changes include not installing sidewalks, not seeding the topsoil once the work is complete, and taking the scrap paving material to the Grace College gravel pit instead of to Leesburg.

With the approved changes, the town would be liable for $115,000 and $265,000 in Tax Increment Financed funds paying for the project.

Council members Edna Gamble and Randy Ruppel abstained from the vote and the measure passed 3 to 0.

Gamble, before the vote, expressed concern about the cost of the project in light of other street and drainage needs of the town.

"I just want to make sure we have enough money left to address some of the town's other needs," she said.

Council President Brent Wilcoxson responded that even with the project, the town's street department budget had $146,000 to devote to other projects.

In other business, Jim LeMasters told the board he has received numerous complaints about the lack of snow removal in town and suggested the town develop a plan for when such large amounts of snow fall.

"I've received many complaints about the snow removal," LeMasters said. "I've seen the guys working, but I think you need a plan on where to put the snow and about getting the cars out of the way to get the streets cleared."

Kim Endicott, public works superintendent, said department personnel have been working hard to clear the streets and doing the best they can with four street personnel and the lack of suitable equipment.

"We're doing the best we can with what we have," Endicott said. [[In-content Ad]]

WINONA LAKE - The best laid plans often require some changes before they're implemented. Such was the case for the town council last night.

Major revisions to two proposed projects were discussed to make them more financially feasible in light of the town's needs.

All bids received for the renovation of the town's Quonset hut into the new city building were rejected on the advice of the project management firm, Scearce-Rudisel Inc. Mary Ellen Rudisel told the council that making some major revisions in the plans could save a substantial amount of money off the cost of the project.

The low bid was received by Tecton Corp. of Fort Wayne for $428,000. The council anticipated a $250,000 cost for the renovation.

"By recessing the entrance into the interior of the building, instead of constructing one, would save a sizable amount of dollars," Rudisel said. "You can also do away with the mechanical mezzanine and put the mechanical equipment in a room on the first floor to save a substantial amount of money."

Because those changes would constitute a major revision - more than 20 percent of the project's total cost - the project must be rebid, said Jim Walmer, town attorney.

The board also approved the revised contract amount for the continuing rehabilitation of Park Avenue.

Phend and Brown Inc. originally bid $420,000 for the next phase of the Park Avenue project. However, the council revised the scope of the project to reduce the cost to $375,000. The changes include not installing sidewalks, not seeding the topsoil once the work is complete, and taking the scrap paving material to the Grace College gravel pit instead of to Leesburg.

With the approved changes, the town would be liable for $115,000 and $265,000 in Tax Increment Financed funds paying for the project.

Council members Edna Gamble and Randy Ruppel abstained from the vote and the measure passed 3 to 0.

Gamble, before the vote, expressed concern about the cost of the project in light of other street and drainage needs of the town.

"I just want to make sure we have enough money left to address some of the town's other needs," she said.

Council President Brent Wilcoxson responded that even with the project, the town's street department budget had $146,000 to devote to other projects.

In other business, Jim LeMasters told the board he has received numerous complaints about the lack of snow removal in town and suggested the town develop a plan for when such large amounts of snow fall.

"I've received many complaints about the snow removal," LeMasters said. "I've seen the guys working, but I think you need a plan on where to put the snow and about getting the cars out of the way to get the streets cleared."

Kim Endicott, public works superintendent, said department personnel have been working hard to clear the streets and doing the best they can with four street personnel and the lack of suitable equipment.

"We're doing the best we can with what we have," Endicott said. [[In-content Ad]]

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