The Barren County Corrections Center along Ford Drive in Glasgow is votes away from complete demolition. The Barren fiscal court moved the third time Dec. 2 to approve advertisement for bids for the project.
(BRENNAN CRAIN/WCLU NEWS)
GLASGOW, Ky. — The former Barren County Corrections Center could be demolished soon if successful acquisition of a contractor occurs.
The Barren fiscal court moved in a special called meeting Thursday to advertise for bids to complete the demolition. The movement is the third time the court has approved an advertisement for the project.
The court hired RBS Design Group several weeks ago to handle the demolition specificities. Their responsibilities include advertisement and procurement procedures along with developing the plans for the demolition.
RBS Design Group apparently missed a publication deadline to submit a portion of the project advertisement. The mistake shifted the project back to its original advertising phase.
Projects are required by state law to be advertised so contractors can see potential projects.
Though the second attempt to advertise the project was successful, the court was not satisfied with the results. Two bids were returned – one from Scott & Ritter, Inc. and Innovative Demolition, the first and successful bidder.
Bids are a matter of public record after they are received. The lower bid was made public, and one of the contractor’s took advantage of the information.
Scott & Ritter, Inc.’s second bid was $85,000. Their first was $98,411.25.
Innovative Demolition submitted the same bid at $92,135. Those were received Nov. 15.
The Building and Property Committee decided to award the project to the initial bidder though they submitted a higher bid the second time. The lowest bidder must be accepted, according to state law and the conditions of the BRADD grant funding the jail demolition.
Some magistrates cited ethical concerns at their Nov. 16 meeting with accepting the lower bid the second time. One expressed his displeasure with the move.
“I don’t like it. It’s a tough pill for me to swallow, and I will sever ties with these folks because I do some business with them,” said Magistrate Trent Riddle. “And I’ll let them know how I feel about it. It’s a low blow.”
Riddle voted in favor of moving forward with Scott & Ritter’s bid despite his skepticism. Most of the court voted against the move. Micheal Hale and Billy Houchens voted in favor, too.
The third advertisement is slated to run in the Barren County Progress’ Dec. 9 issue. Bids are due Dec. 17, according to information provided by the Barren County Judge Executive’s office.
