Convention center expansion leaders are preparing for another round of construction bids and looking at exterior material samples.
The next round of bids is for steel, concrete, foundations, and floor slab.
First round bids were approved last month for the site work. The final round of bids in May will be for the rest of the building.
Project Manager Eddie Layton said at the Capital Improvement Board’s meeting Wednesday that exterior design updates are getting more intricate with recessed brick columns and stone, veneer, and glass choices.
“We noticed on the existing building above the windows, there's just nice little detail of brick corbeling that just adds some interest to the elevation,” Layton said. “So we're adding that in select areas in the new building.”
Read more: Trees coming down, parking barriers going up on convention expansion site
Final review for construction documents is scheduled for May.
Weddle Bros. is managing the construction. Assistant Vice President Josh Naugle said their first pre-bid meeting was well attended and local bidders are excited. He said if all bids are acceptable, he expects a groundbreaking in June.
CIB Controller Jeff Underwood reported the CIB received the full amount of funding given the market volatility with the highest rate just under 5 percent.
The budget for construction is $52 million as well as $19 million for professional services such as legal fees, art, and utility relocation.
Construction is scheduled to be completed by February of 2027.
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