Forks to Advertise Again for Public Works Project

It’s round two for work proposals for the planned Forks Township Public Works Facility.

On Thursday, the Board of Supervisors unanimously voted in favor of advertising for the construction. Twelve work proposals were received in January for the proposed $3.7 million, 23,000-square-foot facility set to be located on Newlins and Richmond roads. But the proposals came in much higher than the estimated cost presented by architectural firm Kimmel Bogrette, Conshohocken. The lowest work proposal was for $5,294,470. That amount includes general construction, electrical and plumbing work.

“We have made some minor revisions to the plan,” said Martin Kimmel, principal for Kimmel Bogrette.  “I would very much expect that we would get most of the same bidders.”

The firm is suggesting that the proposed curvature of the building now be straightened out. Suggestions have also been made to change the entrance and exits to the facility, reduce some site work and excavation by making the courtyard smaller, lower the height of the building by two feet, reduce tree plantings and eliminate the concrete on the roof deck. The hope is that these changes will help save $1.1 million to $1.3 million, for a revised estimated cost of $3.4 million to $4.1 million.

“We looked at the geometry of the building and felt that reducing the footprint would be easier,” Kimmel said at a meeting last month with supervisors. 

It could take another two months before work proposals are awarded.