Construction contracts awarded to complete Ironville Dock facility
6/27/2013The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority today awarded a pair of construction contracts that the agency’s top official said are the last needed to complete the Ironville Dock facility in East Toledo.
A $2.28 million winning bid from Rudolph/Libbe, of Lake Township, was the lowest of four received for a project that calls for a warehouse to be built on part of the former Gulf Oil refinery site on Front Street.
The port authority’s board of directors also accepted a staff recommendation to award a contract for electrical controls for the dock’s conveyor system to the second-lowest bidder. That's because the lowest bid failed to guarantee at least 14 percent of the work would be subcontracted to businesses owned by women or minorities.
Toledo-based RMF Nooter’s $353,600 bid for the electrical system was $1,092 higher than the lower offer from F.E.T. Construction Services.
Port staff initially recommended that Rudolph/Libbe’s bid be rejected because of non-compliance with the “disadvantaged business enterprise” requirement.
But Paul Toth, the port authority’s president, said the firm’s bid did not include a $200,000 allowance for mechanical systems that was discussed during pre-construction meetings. By subcontracting the mechanical work to a qualifying business, Rudolph/Libbe would meet the requirement.
Work on previously awarded contracts for road and railroad construction and erection of Ironville’s conveyor system is under way. Mr. Toth said the two new contracts round out the dock’s $18 million development.
“Our goal is to have all projects completed by the end of 2013 and have the facility operational by the end of the year,” Mr. Toth told the board.
Port authority directors also voted today to award a $35,000 grant to the Zepf Center for "pre-development activities" associated with the renovation of a vacant 19,857 square-foot building at 422 W. Woodruff Ave. for creation of a juvenile mental-health clinic. The Zepf Center expects to employ 25 people at the facility when it is completed, while construction will employ seven workers temporarily.