On January 17, 2019, the City of Chicopee received three (3) bids in response to Bid #18-36: the Chicopee City Hall Exterior and Auditorium Rehab and Accessibility Upgrades project.
Bids were received from the following General Contractors:
D.A. Sullivan and Sons, Inc. – Base Bid $11,061,000
Fontaine Brothers, Inc. – Base Bid $12,205,000
R.A.C. Builders, Inc. – Base Bid $14,321,000
Final cost estimates completed prior to the bidding process anticipated total project costs at $16 million.
D.A. Sullivan and Sons, Inc. is the apparent low bidder for the project. Staff from the Purchasing Department and Department of Planning & Development will advance a final review of all received bids to prepare Notice of Award. The City will also review bid numbers for six (6) add/alternate scope items included in the bid documents. Construction is anticipated to begin in mid to late February.
The Chicopee City Hall Exterior and Auditorium and Accessibility Upgrades project is the culmination of nearly three (3) years of work on the City Hall Complex. The project was initiated in response to the failure of stone tracery and stained glass in the rose window that resulted in stone and glass collapsing to City Hall’s front stairs. In response, the City hired Dietz & Company Architects, Inc. of Springfield, MA to complete a structural analysis of the City Hall Complex. Dietz and Company completed a comprehensive structural analysis of the Complex which resulted in a Historic Structure Report (HSR) released on April 12, 2016. The HSR recommended emergency stabilization efforts for stained glass, brick and masonry throughout the structure. Stabilization measures were completed by the City during fall 2016. The City then authorized Dietz & Company to move forward with design and engineering for Phase I Rehabilitation efforts as recommended in the HSR. Prior to the beginning of design and engineering efforts, the City procured Owner’s Project Management (OPM) services to oversee the project. NV5 of Boston, MA was selected to assist the City in the advancement of this project and has been working with the Department of Planning & Development throughout the design process. The Phase I efforts resulted in the current Chicopee City Hall Exterior and Auditorium and Accessibility Upgrades project.
Lee Pouliot, AICP, ASLA – Director of Planning & Development has overseen the design & engineering process on behalf of the City. “The bid results today are a milestone in this significant City Hall rehabilitation project. The project addresses the restoration of critical building components include masonry, stained glass, windows and roofs – in addition to revitalizing the historic auditorium which has been closed for a number of years. Further accessibility improvements will ensure easy access to this public building for all residents and visitors. Returning activity to the City Hall Auditorium and preserving the City Hall Complex for future generations are invaluable achievements resulting from this project.”
“Congratulations to Lee and his staff on this positive bid process and thanks to all departments and the City Council for working together to continue and advance this necessary project,” said Mayor Richard J. Kos.
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