And then there was one.
Even though three contractors picked up information packets to bid on the construction of the long-awaited College Avenue Bridge, County Engineer Ron Cassada told the County Board of Supervisors on Monday that only Greenwood-based Mac McNeer Construction Co., Inc. actually submitted a bid.
On Cassada’s suggestion, the county lawmakers voted unanimously to accept the $461,329.70 proposal - which is $132,570 less than the engineer’s estimate of $593,900 - with the stipulation that the county lawmakers would submit Mississippi Department of Transportation concurrents, if required.
Cassada also added that the construction company’s bid bond would be re-submitted with a specified correction since Board Attorney Johnny McWilliams said the bond was not in the proper form.
“It is not signed by Mac McNeer Construction Company, it is signed by Mac McNeer,” he said.
Board President Glenn Donald asked if the bridge would be complete by the time school starts up in the fall and Cassada said it would not.
Cassada added that although the construction is a box culvert assembly project and the utilities have already been moved it would still be a while before it is completed.
However, he added that it should be finished ahead of pace, compared to similar projects.
Cassada explained that once the bid is formally accepted, it would still be another 60 days before they can start construction.
He said there are contingencies, such as bonding approval and compliance with certain MDOT legalities that have to be met.
The county leaders also discussed the feasibility of doing some work on the west side of Turner’s Downtown Market and the adjacent businesses along the bayou to create a detour to ease Front Street traffic woes. McWilliams said it was possible because it is city-owned property and the county has recycling bins staged there, but the city would have to request it.
In other business,
With regard to the long-overdue Park Avenue street project in Drew, Cassada said the contractor is now waiting on State-Aid’s approval to begin the last segment of the work. He said the utility contractors have finished locating the utilities and he is hopeful that it will be complete soon. “If we get some good weather, it should go pretty quickly,” he said.
In addition, the East Paxton Bridge is finished but needs a re-inspection by federal examiners before it can be opened to the public.
Cassada and the Supervisors also discussed the status of a proposed eastbound turning lane on U.S. 82 near the irrigation equipment facility. The project is still in an indeterminate state.
The board was also presented with and accepted several resolutions and contracts from South Delta Planning and Development Community Development Director Allyson Denson regarding a CDBG grant used to upgrade the drainage in the Eastmoor Subdivision.
In addition, there was another resolution establishing goals for minority and women-owned business participation and a third regarding the fair housing project
The county lawmakers voted unanimously to approve an application to extend a 10-year Ad Valorem tax exemption for Supervalu Holdings, Inc. McWilliams said it was based on expansions totaling more than $500,000 to their existing industrial enterprises and equipment.
