CAPE DISTRICT WANTS TO LOWER BID ON FRANKLIN RENOVATION

The base bid for renovations and construction at Franklin Elementary School received Thursday by the Cape Girardeau public schools was more than $50,000 over the most recent estimate for the work.

Sides Construction Company Inc. bid $633,333 on the project, which involves a renovation of the school's cafeteria/gymnasium and library and construction of a metal building to serve as the new gymnasium. The company was the only bidder.

Superintendent Dr. Dan Steska said some parts of the renovation may have to be completed later because he does not want to spend much more than the schools' master plan calls for, which is $578,000.

"We want to spend what the master plan calls for," Steska said. "We can't have another case where we go $100,000 over budget," he added, referring to recently built Blanchard Elementary School.

Another worry about the high bid is unforeseen circumstances, such as rock removal, could increase costs.

Another concern to the superintendent is the general contractor's guaranteed completion date of Dec. 18 for construction of the metal building to be used as a gym. Students would not have a gym to use in case of inclement weather. "The occasional rainy day could be a problem," he said.

Steska said he hopes the company is just playing it safe by setting the Dec. 18 date and can complete the building earlier.

If the bid is accepted, the company will have until July 31 to finish the renovations to the existing school. The school's combination gymnasium and cafeteria is to be split into a cafeteria and library. The existing library is to be turned into a computer lab. A new security system also will be installed.

Steska said he prefers to negotiate with the bidder rather than rebid the project, which would delay the schedule for its completion.

The board of education will meet at 4 p.m. Monday to decide whether to accept the bid.