|
A small crowd listens to Danville city commissioners talk about the BISCO warehouse during a meeting Thursday at city hall. ( Clay Jackson/cjackson@amnews.com / November 9, 2012) |
Danville city officials hope to hire an architect this month to design the renovation of the BISCO building and expect to complete the financing by the end of the year.
At a special City Commission meeting Thursday, City Engineer Earl Coffey asked commissioners if he, Assistant City Engineer Josh Morgan and City Manager Ron Scott could evaluate the two architectural firms interested in renovating the warehouse on Third Street.
Lexington-based Brandstetter Carroll and BRAVURA of Louisville are the firms interested in the project; both companies have recent experience working with Danville officials, Coffey said.
Commissioner James “J.H.” Atkins was absent from the meeting, but the mayor and other three commissioners present agreed to allow city officials to further evaluate the two firms and bring the results to Tuesday’s regular commission meeting, rescheduled from Monday due to Veterans Day.
Coffey said he hopes it will cost no more than $525,000 to renovate the BISCO building to OSHA — Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 — standards.
Once an architect is hired, Coffey will work with city department heads to learn the space needs for public works, water distribution, waste water rehabilitation, water treatment plant, police and fire. “Our project approach will be the traditional design/bid/build scenario,” Coffey said.
“I think staff’s got a good plan together,” said Commissioner Ryan Montgomery, a professional engineer who was defeated Tuesday in his bid for re-election.
“(The design/bid/build scenario) I just think is more advantageous for the city in the long run.”
The city’s purchase of the building at auction Aug. 10 for $1,237,500 has drawn public controversy.
The state attorney general recently ruled that commissioners violated open meetings laws by reaching a “consensus” to hire a bidder during a July 23 executive session.
A down payment check in the amount of $123,750 was issued to Rector-Hayden Realtors three days before commissioners approved the BISCO building purchase in open session. The city has appealed the decision to Boyle County Circuit Court.
