Jail costs appear in line with estimates

By Deirdre Cox Baker | Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Bids to construct the Scott County Jail came in close to estimates and most awards appear headed to local firms, like General Constructors of Bettendorf which snagged the largest plum.

“It’s a real success,” said architect Greg Larrison of Tuesday’s bid opening for the $29.1 million jail project, the biggest in the history of Scott County government.

Tuesday’s event was the first of two this week and included six contracts for renovation and additions to the existing jail. Bids will be open Thursday for the balance of the project — the administrative area, which includes the new 4th Street entrance to the jail and to the Scott County Courthouse.

The largest bid for overall construction of the facility went to the Bettendorf firm which has been in business since 1994.

“We’re just pleased that we could be a local contractor to get the work,” said Sally Howard, who owns General Constructors with Mike Howard and Jim Hayne. General Constructors bid $10,760,000 and was one of five construction firms competing for the contract.

The firm is currently building the new police station in Moline, Sally Howard said, and last year completed a series of improvements to the Centennial Bridge. Much of the company’s work is for Alcoa, Inc., and it also built the aquatic centers in Bettendorf and in Rock Island’s Longview Park.

The Scott County Board of Supervisors will certify the bids Dec. 29. Other apparent low bidders included: Mechanical systems — Ryan & Associates, Davenport, $6,570,000; electrical — Tri-City Electric, Davenport, $2,749,000; fire protection — Midwest Automatic Fire Sprinkler Co., Davenport, $365,200; security electronics, Stanley Security Solutions, Indianapolis, Ind., $715,000; security equipment — Southern Folger Detention Equipment, San Antonio, Texas, $1,088,666.

Several board members and sheriff’s department employees attended the session which lasted about 30 minutes.

“This is a very important day for us,” Board Chairman Larry Minard said, noting the county is currently housing 50-100 inmates at other facilities because of inadequate jail space.

The next bid opening will be 8 a.m. Thursday in Room 605 at the Scott County Administrative Center, 428 Western Ave., Davenport.

Deirdre Cox Baker can be contacted at (563) 383-2492 or dbaker@qctimes.com.