NITRO, W.Va. — The Nitro City Council agreed to move remodeling and repair bids to committee after motions for related projects were announced during Tuesday’s meeting.
The committees will consist of members of city council, the Nitro Building Commission and Nitro Police Chief Bobby Eggleton.
The council accepted two bids for remodeling its new police department at 497 First Ave. South. The council was looking for a maximum bid of $200,000 for the work. Instead, Valley Electric and Dan Hill Constriction put forward proposals of $500,442 and around $467,000 respectively.
“That included some things that probably aren’t necessary,” Nitro Mayor Dave Casebolt said. During the meeting, Recorder Rita Cox noted how the bid from Dan Hill Construction accounted for lettering and other work not requested by the council.
The new building would be more space for the police department, city council and Nitro Municipal Court. The first two departments rent space at the King’s Way Christian Church, the Nitro Senior Center and Nitro Community Center. The council voted in May to sign an agreement regarding the building, which needs to be remodeled for police operations.
Casebolt said from a financial perspective, the move makes sense.
“It’s something we’ll have paid off in 20 years,” he said. “Our lease payment on the building is about half of what our rent is currently, so it’s just a great investment for the city.”
The second bid that will be considered regards roof repairs to the Nitro Fire Department building. Casebolt said the rubber roof is “leaking a little bit.” The roof experience a serious leak in December 2011, which was repaired in an emergency vote.
City council received five bids for the project, ranging from $11,750 to $42,000. Casebolt said he expects a bid will be selected by the next council meeting on Aug. 15.
Casebolt said after the meeting renovation work at Nitro City Park will begin Sept. 1. The project will include a 10-foot longitudinal dike along a 600-foot section of riverbank, a walkway to the Kanawha River and a stage. The mayor said construction should be complete by the end of December.