Sixth Street Building Demolition Costs Higher Than Expected
Asbestos removal and the discovery of an underground storage tank are going to add to the costs of demolishing the former Sixth Street School Building in Geneva, presently the home of the Kane County Regional Office of Education and a possible future home for the Geneva Public Library.
Speaking before the Kane County Board Executive Committee on Wednesday, Kane County Operations Staff Executive Don Biggs said asbestos was discovered “not only just in the floors, but in the ceilings and the caulk around the windows” of the former grade-school building at 210 S. Sixth St.
Biggs said American Demolition Corporation of Elgin was the low bidder for the demolition-only package, with a base bid total of $252,000. The low bid for asbestos remediation went to EHC Industries, Inc. of Wauconda, with a base bid of $129,000.
The underground storage removal will cost another $28,000 and a “project contingency” of $38,100 was added, bringing the total demolition costs to $447,100 — almost $150,000 more than expected. The contingency is simply 10 percent of the combined cost of demolition and asbestos remediation. Obviously, if the contingency isn’t needed, the total cost would be $409,000.
The Kane County Board voted unanimously in January to OK the sale of the former Sixth Street School property to the Geneva Library District at a price of $1.5 million. The Geneva Public Library is purchasing the property as a possible future location of a downtown library campus. Under that deal, the Geneva Library District agreed to pay up to $300,000 to have Kane County demolish the building.
Biggs said Wednesday that he has been communicating regularly with Geneva Library Board members, and they are aware of the situation. According to the resolution, which now moves to the March 10 County Board meeting for full approval, “the total project cost of $447,100 will be reimbursed with the proceeds of the sale” of the Sixth Street School property.
In order to construct a new building on the Sixth Street property, the Library District would have to seek voter approval via referendum, a process that officials have repeatedly said is at least two years away.
The city of Geneva has the right of first refusal to purchase the existing Geneva library building at 127 James St., should the library move.
A prospective new location for the Regional Office of Education has not been publicly discussed.
DRAFT RESOLUTION
STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF KANE RESOLUTION NO. XX
AUTHORIZING CONTRACTS FOR 6TH STREET SCHOOL DEMOLITION PROJECT
WHEREAS, bids were solicited for the 6th Street School Demolition Project. A total of six (6) Bids were received and opened publicly on February 25, 2015; and
WHEREAS, the bidding process was completed by a reverse auction and was set up for prime contractors to bid the demolition only, asbestos remediation only or a combined package with both; and
WHEREAS, the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Demolition Package is American Demolition Corporation, of Elgin, IL, for a total sum of $252,000; and WHEREAS, the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Asbestos Remediation Package is EHC Industries, Inc. of Wauconda, IL, for a total sum of $129,000; and
WHEREAS, this project will also include a cost for the Underground Storage Tank removal for an estimated cost of $28,000 and a Project Contingency amount of $38,100, for a total project cost of $447,100. The Contingency amount will not be included in the contract with the vendor; and
WHEREAS, the total project cost of $447,100 will be reimbursed with the proceeds of the sale of the 6th Street School property.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Kane County Board that the Chairman is hereby authorized to execute contracts for the 6th Street School Demolition Project to American Demolition Corporation, of Elgin, IL, for a total sum of two hundred fifty-two thousand dollars ($252,000) for the Demolition Package and EHC Industries, Inc. of Wauconda, IL for a total sum of one hundred twenty-nine thousand ($129,000) for the Asbestos Remediation package. In addition, the project will include a cost for the Underground Storage Tank removal for an estimated cost of twenty-eight thousand dollars ($28,000) and a Project Contingency amount of thirty-eight thousand, one hundred dollars ($38,100), for a total project cost of four hundred forty-seven thousand, one hundred dollars ($447,100).
