Courthouse renovation bid nearly double expected cost

At their workshop meeting last Thursday, commissioners were really surprised when the bids for renovations and additions to the courthouse were opened. Due to some changes to the plans by the architect, there was only one bidder for the project. Forsyth Construction of Anniston was the lone bidder with a bid of $6,897,700 with all bid items and alternates.
Architect Mike Rutland said he felt like there was room for negotiations on the bid. The commission had only budgeted $3.5 million from American Rescue Plan Funds for the work.

The bid request was split up into items A-D and three alternates. Item A is for interior renovations, additions and parking, Item B is interior finish and upgrades, Item C is the upgrade of annex A, the commission chambers and Item D is the parking lot near the old jail, adjacent to Perryland Foods and behind the courthouse.

The alternates include courthouse fire alarm system, replacement of door hardware in the courthouse and replacement of door hardware on the second floor and the courtroom suite. It is not known when negotiations will take place and when the work could possibly begin. Rutland and Heard will meet with Forsyth this week.