Final pre-bid meeting today for River Campus construction

Contractors will meet today for a mandatory pre-bid meeting related to the expansion of the River Campus of Southeast Missouri State University.

The meeting, scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Show Me Center, is the second of two mandatory gatherings for contractors since the board of regents in February approved the issuing of bonds for the expansion.

"The reason the meetings have been mandatory is because we believe that it's important for everyone to understand their part," said Dr. Ken Dobbins, president of Southeast. "There are critical building issues and safety matters involving electricity and water involved in the expansion, and we want everyone to be on the same page."

Dobbins said the meetings also are required because of the short time frame in which to complete the River Campus expansion.

"The goal is to have the building ready by fall 2014," he said. "We think that with general contractors and subcontractors knowing what is expected, the project will be on budget and on time."

The expansion of the River Campus, estimated to cost $24 million, is for a three-story, L-shaped building that will add more than 96,000 feet in gross square footage for academic and housing space. The project also includes a nearby parking area to be built on the north side of Morgan Oak Street.

General-revenue bonds will cover construction of the building, with annual revenue from housing contracts and meal-plan commissions used to service the debt for the housing portion of the construction cost. Additional tuition revenue from more majors at the River Campus will fund the debt service associated with the academic space in the new facility.

"We've seen majors at the River Campus increase from 250 to over 500," Dobbins said. "That number could be over 700 in the next couple of years. New academic and living space for those students is something that needs to be provided."

According to Dobbins, the use of local general contractors will be a priority.

"About 85 percent of the recent construction on campus has been done by contractors within a 50-mile radius," he said. "It's important to us."

Southeast will receive sealed bids for the River Campus expansion until 2:30 p.m. July 18, when the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the Show Me Center.

"That's when the lowest and best bid will be determined," Dobbins said.

Attempts to reach Angela Meyer, director of Southeast's Facilities Management, were unsuccessful as of Monday afternoon.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO