Jay’s note: I am really looking forward to the Cherry Glade access road, as I live in Mitchell Manor, and I can get to 219 faster! Not to mention the Dairy Queen Grill n Chill 🙂
Commissioners Award Bids For Local Projects
Mar. 25, 2010
The Garrett County commissioners approved two bid proposals on Tuesday. One pertains to the Cherry Glade Access Road Project, while the other involves the Garrett County Landfill Rubble Cell Capping Project.
Purchasing agent Brian Bowers, Garrett County Purchasing Department, told the commissioners that 17 companies responded to the county’s RFP (request for proposals) for engineering services for the Cherry Glade Access Road initiative. The county’s Selection Committee reviewed the proposals, and an overall evaluation summary was developed.
Based on such criteria as past experience, understanding of the entire project, current workload, and depth and variety of staff disciplines, the committee recommended the commissioners approve Highland Engineering’s $74,832.20 bid.
Commissioners Ernie Gregg and Fred Holliday approved the Oakland firm’s bid. Commissioner Denny Glotfelty did not attend the meeting, as he had another commitment.
The Cherry Glade project involves the demolition of an administration building at the former Garrett County Roads Department site, located along Rt. 219 in Oakland, and the creation of a road across the site from Rt. 219 to Fourth Street.
A new Roads Department garage was recently built at the county’s Public Works Center near Mtn. Lake Park. Construction of a new administration building at the center has been deferred until the economy improves.
Until then, Jay Moyer, general roads superintendent, and his administrative staff will be located at the Purchasing Department building, located across from the courthouse in Oakland. Bowers and staff will relocate their offices to the courthouse.
So far, the county has sold two lots to businesses at the old Roads Department property. A Dairy Queen is near completion, and construction of a Clear Mountain Bank will begin in the near future. The Cherry Glade Access Road will enable motorists to get to various businesses there from either Rt. 219 or Fourth Street.
The engineering portion of the project is being funded by the county, which has budgeted $150,000. Construction of the project’s Phase I is being funded with Appalachian Regional Commission money in the amount of $750,000.
Highland Engineering’s work will include the study and preliminary design phase, final design phase, and a traffic study.
Bowers said the firm anticipates that design work will be completed late this fall. Construction of the road itself is expected to be finished by summer 2011.
Holliday and Gregg noted that Highland’s bid was not the lowest one submitted and questioned why the committee preferred its proposal over others.
Bowers said Highland’s bid included a $12,039 stream restoration plan. The firm will be subcontracting with the Canaan Valley Institute to restore Cherry Glade Run.
Bowers said the stream is currently running through a culvert underground. He said Highland felt it would be more cost effective and more likely to receive the Maryland Department of the Environment’s approval to restore the stream than it would be to put in another underground culvert.
The commissioners also awarded BYCO Enterprises’ $187,032 bid to cap the Garrett County Landfill rubble cell. The Grantsville company had the lowest bid of the eight submitted.
“All eight bids received for this project were below the engineer’s estimate of $258,700,” Bowers said.
The county allocated $380,000 for the project in its Fiscal Year 2010 budget.
BYCO has 120 days from “notice to proceed” to finish its work, which includes clearing and grubbing, subgrading, stalling culverts, and seeding and mulching.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
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