City opens scope of bids for city hall renovation

The Graham City Council approved opening the scope of the bidding process regarding the renovation of the new city hall location where the American Legion building is currently located on Thursday.

Graham Mayor Neal Blanton released a statement Monday, July 22, clarifying questions regarding moving city hall to the American Legion Building in Graham. Discussion continued Thursday, July 25 regarding the move, with an almost full house of visitors at the city council meeting.

Bids for the project were due on Wednesday, July 24, and it was printed locally for three weeks, Anderson said in the July meeting. He said Thursday the local bids were meant to make the bidding process fair.

“Bids were due July 24 and opened at that date and reviewed,” Anderson said. “We only had two bids. Purposely we bid that local because last time their was local vendors who didn’t feel like they had quite the option with what we had to do with the remodel here. So, legally we have to bid out any project that’s over $50,000, however, it is also highly recommended that we get at least three bids.”

Anderson said he spoke with the two local bidders and advised them he would be recommending the city council to open up the scope of the bidding.

“I would like to advertise in the Wichita Falls paper for a couple of weeks and open it back up for bidding of about 30 days and I will have to look at the deadline to figure exactly when, but I hope to bring this item back to you at the Sept. 12 City Council meeting,” Anderson said. “That would give us the due diligence to get that extra bid.”

For the rest of the story, see the Saturday, Aug. 10 edition of The Graham Leader.