PARK RIDGE—A second round of bids for minor renovations to the Borough Hall is due Nov. 2, following the council’s rejection of four previous bids ranging from $143,300 up to $214,000 in mid October.
Officials expected the original bids to come in at $30,000 to $40,000, borough administrator Julie Falkenstern recently told Pascack Press.
The initial bids offered included AB Contracting at $155,000; BGD Contracting at $148,000; Cat Cord Contracting at $143,300; and Billy Contracting at $214,000.
All bids were rejected by the council as being substantially over the amount appropriated and re-bid recently to seek a lower qualified bid.
Falkenstern said approximately $50,000 was set aside in 2021’s capital budget for the Borough Hall renovations.
She said though they anticipated bids to be in the $30,000 to $40,000 range, the bids were being solicited in case they exceeded the non-bid threshold of $44,000. All the initial bids did substantially exceed the bid threshold.
According to bid specs provided to Pascack Press, the project is confined to the second floor area of Borough Hall, at 53 Park Ave.
The area now houses the conference room, OEM, Mayor’s office and Council Chambers. The work includes the removal and/or relocation of existing/interior finishes, carpet, ceiling tiles and select interior partitions.
“The existing lights, sprinklers, smoke detection, and emergency fixtures are to remain and be modified for the new office layout. A new service window for the building/planning/zoning/fire prevention departments will be constructed. Painting to be done by Borough. Contractor shall coordinate a schedule with the Borough to allow for in house painting,” state the bid specs.
With borough estimates near the non-competitive bidding threshold of $44,000, officials decided to solicit bids for the second-floor renovations needed to relocate the building and zoning staff and facilities.
Currently, both are on the Borough Hall’s first floor, and often residents and contractors seeking information and permits for local projects add to the number of visitors visiting the first floor.
Architect Perry Petrillo of Park Ridge developed the building renovation plans and specs for the borough. A timeline for completion was not yet available pending contractor selection.
Borough officials received bids for minor renovations to Borough Hall’s second floor on Sept. 30 to accommodate a move by the building, planning/zoning and fire prevention departments.