Commissioners Reject Bids for Wall Project

BELLEFONTE — The retaining walls of the Centre County courthouse are still in dire need of repair.

In January, the county asked for bids on the project. However, during this week’s Board of Commissioners meeting, it was announced the county was shifting gears.

“We released an invitation for bid to qualified entities to perform a bid-design-build process for the retaining walls at the courthouse,” said county Administrator John Franek. “We received those bids and after review of what was received, it was determined that there are definitely a couple of areas where we need to clarify what our expectations are relative to the project.”

Franek said that, rather than enter into contract negotiations, the recommendation was that the commissioners reject all the bids.

“We would reject the current bids and that would allow us time to issue a clarification memo to all bidders to re-submit if they’re interested … with the additional expectations that the county has relative to the project,” Franek said.

Both the facilities office and the controller’s office reviewed the bids, said Franek.

“They are in concurrence with this as well as our consultant … everyone is on board,” Franek noted. “This has also been reviewed by the county solicitor for compliance relative to procedural methods.”

The project would have no effect on the county budget. It will be covered by a bond issuance, which also will cover projects at the former Centre Crest building as well as the Willowbank Building.

The courthouse project was first discussed at a BOC meeting on Jan. 24. At that time, Chair Mark Higgins explained that the foundations were put in more than 100 years ago and that time had taken its toll on the retaining walls.

Commissioner Steve Dershem said the project was a “must do.” Now it’s back to the drawing board as the commissioners unanimously agreed to reject all bids and issue a clarification memo.

The BOC will not meet on March 21 so the commissioners can attend the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania Conference. The commissioners will meet again at 10 a.m. on March 28. The meeting is open to the public and will be televised live by C-NET.