Sylvania council pleased by bids for tower project

Sylvania Service Director Kevin Aller says the city's decision to go with Texas-based CB&I is based on past experience and the firm's construction of the Oregon tower. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Sylvania City Council members were pleasantly surprised when they read the final bid for construction of the new 2 million gallon water tower in Fossil Park.

Texas-based general contractor CB&I Constructors Inc.'s bid of $2.7 million was $1 million less than the city's budget for the project.

"I love the amounts of the bids," said Doug Haynam, city council member.

CB&I Constructors and Landmark Construction, both based in Texas, submitted bids for the project that were well under the $3.8 million budgeted.

The city made its decision based on previous experience with CB&I and its construction of Oregon's water tower, completed last summer, which is similar to the tank Sylvania is constructing, said Kevin Aller, the city's service director.

The Ohio Public Works Commission is defraying about $1 million of the cost, with the city borrowing $3 million through a bond and servicing the debt with proceeds from rate payers. Use of the bond revenue is restricted to "constructing an elevated water tower, including related site improvements, and constructing a related water line, all together with the necessary related equipment, improvements, and appurtenances."

"We will keep the proceeds on hand during the construction period," said Scott Smith, the city's finance director.

"[The city will] identify all appropriate costs that can be charged against the bond proceeds, and use whatever remainder is left for debt reduction. We have already spent approximately $460,000 on the related water line."

Construction is expected to begin in the spring and be completed in the fall of 2013.

The tank will be approximately 125 feet high. The concrete support column has a 56 foot diameter with a painted steel water tank that is 95 feet in diameter, said Mr. Aller.

The water tower will be built to withstand wind speeds that exceed 90mph.

"There have been several areas hit by tornados and the only thing standing afterwards is the local water tower," he added.

The maintenance and service will be handled by city personnel.

A citizen representative met with Mr. Aller and representatives from Olander Park and Sylvania Recreation District to decide the tower's artwork.

The citizens requested a dove gray color for the base of the tank with the city's maple leaf design and the "City of Sylvania" below it on the east and west faces.

The site is also 1,200 feet away from the nearest homes.

In other business at the Jan. 3 meeting, council approved a 1 percent pay increase for nonunion employees, which include administrative assistants and clerical employees.

Full-time employees will receive a $450 lump sum. The pay raise passed on a 6-1 vote, with Doug Haynam dissenting. He requested the vote be postponed to review documents further.

Contact Ashley Streichert at: astreichert@theblade.com or 419-206-0356.