By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com
WABASH, Ind. – The Wabash Board of Public Works and Safety received three bids for a new building at the Wabash Street Department complex.
Bidding were Miller Building LLC, Amboy, $329,120; Randall Construction, Wabash, $365,006; and O&R Building LLC, $430,000.
The board took the bids under advisement.
The city is looking to build a five-bay maintenance facility at the street department. Three of the bays would be dedicated to maintenance and repairs of city vehicles. A fourth bay would be for storage and the fifth would be for washing vehicles.
In another street department matter, the department received permission to purchase a small dump truck chassis from Button Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Kokomo for $45,578.
Street Superintendent Scott Richardson told the board that he solicited quotes from two other Dodge dealerships, but both said they could do so at this time.
The purchase is just for a chassis. It will need various equipment added to it; that is likely to cost another $40,000.
Clerk-Treasurer Wendy Frazier assured the board that the department had the money in its budget for the purchase.
In a final matter, the board gave Building Commissioner John Stephens permission to advertise the sale of a piece of land at 531 E. Hill St.
The city demolished a structure at the site in 2017, Stephens told the board. The site must be appraised, and the winning bid must be at least the amount the site was appraised for.
He told the board that the land is too small to build upon, and that a neighbor had expressed interest in purchasing the land.
City Attorney Randi Zimmerman-Irgang will prepare the legal ad, which will include the stipulation that the buyer must reside in Wabash County. The city also will maintain the right to reject any and all bids.