CAPE MAY — Eleven construction companies submitted bids March 30 to construct a new Convention Hall here.
No winner was announced at the meeting. Mayor Edward J. Mahaney Jr. said a decision would be made in two to three weeks.
There is a lot to consider. While 11 bids were submitted, there are a number of variables.
The bid specifications for a new Convention Hall contained 16 alternatives, items the city would like to have as features of the new facility but not considered an absolute necessity, according to City Manager Bruce MacLeod.
Each bidder submitted different figures for all the alternative items which must be considered along with the price quotes to construct a basic building, change the Promenade to accommodate the hall’s location closer to Beach Avenue and to install geothermal heating and cooling.
Bids for the basic building ranged from $10.8 million to $12.1 million. Promenade reconstruction bids ranged from $300,000 to $1 million. Geothermal system bids ranged from $381,000 to $1.1 million.
The basic building, Promenade reconstruction and geothermal installation came as package deals. As an example: Domus Construction bid $10.1 million to construct the basic building, $700,000 for the Promenade and $800,000 for geothermal installation for a grand total of $11.6 million not including the 16 alternatives for the building.
Network Construction offered a bid of $12.1 million for the basic building, $579,000 for the Promenade and $758,000 for the geothermal system for a total of $13.4 again not including the 16 alternatives.
Bids combining the basic building, Promenade and geothermal system ranged from $11.6 million from Domus Construction to $13.2 million from Adams Bickels and Associates. Four bids were made in the $12.4 to $12.6 range.
The Domus Construction Web site lists commercial projects including: Seamans Chapel (Philadelphia), Friends Free Library (Philadelphia), Budd Commerce Center (Philadelphia) Johnson Matthey Pharmaceutical (West Deptford, NJ) and Pelham Professional Building (Philadelphia).
Other bidders were: A& E Construction, Benjamin R. Harvey Company, Art Anderson and Associates, Stanker & Galetto, Fred M. Schiavone Construction, Nason Construction, Arthur J. Ogren and Ernest Bocks and Sons.
Arthur Ogren has completed a number of projects known to local residents including the Crest Haven Nursing Home and projects in Atlantic City: NJ Transit City Bus Terminal, Atlantic City Visitors Center on the Atlantic City Expressway and Sandcastle Stadium.
Mahaney called the Convention Hall project the single largest capital improvement in Cape May’s history. He said the new facility would provide year round recreation and social events for residents and tourists and allow the city to be a destination for conventions and the performing arts.
Cape May’s voters approved the financing to construct a new $10.5 million Convention Hall in an 818-421 vote, Nov. 4, 2008 by a two to one margin.
Sea Isle City – I miss the Nativity scene they used to display outside the historic St. Joseph’s church on Landis Avenue! It was a true reminder of the reason for the season!
