The Sherburne County  Board of Commissioners voted, 4-0 Tuesday to award bids on four more components of the Government Center Expansion Project totalling more than $20 million.

 

The total project cost is estimated at $63 million.

 

Patrick Sims, construction manager with Adolfson & Peterson Construction, said those components needed to be approved quickly so they can be coordinated with work being done on the foundation and with delivery of steel in early March.

 

“Some of this work needs to happen sooner than later,” said Sims. “It’s critical to keep the project moving.”

 

The bid for mechanical work was awarded to Thelen Heating and Roofing, Inc. at $9,260,000.

 

The bid for electrical, communications and security was awarded to Premier Electric Corp. at $6,580,000.    

 

The bid for selective demolition and carpentry was awarded to Donlar Construction at $3,755,000.    

 

The bid for fire protection was awarded to Summit Companies at $578,000.

 

The four bids combined came in under the estimated budget by almost $3.2 million. 

 

 “The construction industry is still pretty hungry,” Sims told members of the county board. “A lot of contractors are looking to fill up their summer schedules, and this project is very appealing because of its duration - 24 to 28 months of work.”

 

Sims said he’s confident when all the bids are in, the project will be within the $60 million budget.

 

 “We’ll be reviewing the rest of bids for March 14th,” he said. “That will basically set the budget for the project.”

 

The board approved an agreement with Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) for surface maintenance on track crossings at Co. Rd. 1 in Elk River and Co. Rd. 17 in Big Lake. BNSF will be installing new concrete surfaces at both crossings.

 

The county’s cost share on the 50/50 split agreement totals $242,325.

 

There is no scheduled time for the projects, but Public Works Director Andrew Witter said it is BNSF’s intention to have the work completed by the end of the 2017 construction season.

 

The board approved soliciting for a $150,000 grant from the DNR’s Federal Recreation Trail Program for trail work at Grams Regional Park. The improvements include constructing 6,000 lineal feet of gravel trail and 754 lineal feet of boardwalks over existing wetlands.

 

In other action the board:

 

• Approved an easement granting a portion of Fremont Drive to the City of Zimmerman. That portion was acquired as an easement by the county during the intersection reconstruction at Co. Rd. 4 and is not beng used by the county; 

 

• Approved the 2017 Annual County Boat and Water Safety Grant Agreement for the sheriff’s office in the amount of $8,450;

 

• Approved a grant application for the Sherburne County Ag Society  to build a new 30’ x 30’ livestock building at the county fairgrounds.