While there is no set date for the start of major demolition and construction at the future community center, the Tracy City Council on Monday took a big step in the process of opening a new gathering place in town.
On a 5-1 vote, the council approved the hiring of Ankeny Builders, Inc. out of Blue Earth to serve as the general contractor for the new center. Council member Jan Arvizu made the motion to go with Ankeny, and it was seconded by George Landuyt.
The lone dissenting vote came from council member Dave Tiegs.
“We are very excited to get this project started,” Tracy City Administrator Jeff Carpenter said. “It’s going to be very nice and something that everyone can be proud of.”
Ankeny’s bid was the lowest ($748,000) of four that were submitted. Others were: Brenna Construction ($937,000); Wilcon Construction Services ($950,000); and Daniels-Peterson Construction ($1,083,990).
As far as a timeline, Ankeny said it could have the project completed in 120 days, which was the shortest time span offered by any of the other companies. The bidders weren’t required to give a start date.
Also, Ankeny’s dollar amount of $25,200 for a new roof membrane was by far the lowest projection of the four bidders.
The bids included three alternate prices that included the omission of either a new single-ply roof, window replacement and new building envelope.
“Those are three things that, if all of a sudden we would’ve been over budget … those are three things that we could’ve taken off,” Carpenter explained to the council. “But we will have enough for the whole project.”
The engineering expenses for Bollig Engineering totaled $90,000, of which $50,000 has been paid.
The council on Monday also received a list of donations that have come in for the new center, with a total of $253,935.57. Donations, outside of personal gifts, include the $100,000 donation from the Blandin Foundation, $50,000 from Apex Clean Energy; and multiple $10,000 donations from Sanford Health. The City also received a $500,000 Community Facilities Project Grant from the Minnesota Department of Education and a $20,000 Carl and Verna Schmidt Foundation Grant for the kitchen.
Carpenter said the grant from the MDE will be used first. The City, which has set aside $144,113 in restricted funds for the new center, has also applied for a T-Mobile Hometown Grant.
Carpenter said the Community Center Workforce Group — three members were in attendance Monday — will revisit potential donors who were waiting to see if the project would come to fruition.
“They have started talking about going to some of the people that had said that would possibly donate if there was an imminent project, well, we now have an imminent project,” Carpenter said. “I’d like to thank (the CCWG) that did so much of this. They have done a fantastic job representing the city and representing the community center. I’m excited for them for this to come to fruition. I don’t know when the ribbon cutting is going to be, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Carpenter added that the City will explore selling naming rights to the three main rooms of the new center — a conference room, main gathering area and a classroom.
There is $50,000 set aside for IT work, including TVs, cameras and security doors.
The City Public Works crew has already done some interior work on the building.
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I’d like to thank (the CCWG) that did so much of this. They have done a fantastic job representing the city and representing the community center.
I’m excited for them for this to come to fruition. I don’t know when the ribbon cutting is going to be, but I’m looking forward to it.
— TRACY CITY ADMIN. JEFF CARPENTER
