Council: Sidewalk bids are too high

By Scott Marshall

Published: August 20, 2008

The Amherst Town Council has formally rejected bids to expand South Main Street sidewalks because the prices were deemed too high.

The council opted instead to advertise for new bids and eliminate a provision that contractors must be “prequalified” by the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Prequalification is a formality and typically includes larger contractors, said Town Manager Jack Hobbs.

Removal of that requirement could encourage completion because smaller and perhaps local contractors presumably would bid.

The town estimated the project should cost just over $380,000. Bids received June 24 ranged from a low of $448,640 to $833,733 for the project, which would extend sidewalks along South Main Street to Ambriar Shopping Center and thus allow pedestrian access to Amherst County High School.

The town attributed the cost difference to asphalt and concrete prices and higher fuel costs. Ads for new bids are expected this week. New bids would be opened a month later, with a contract award tentatively planned for the first week of October. Construction would be complete by the end of June.

Amherst County supervisors also have focused on sidewalks, setting aside $50,000 and applying for matching money from VDOT to pay for improvements in Madison Heights.

Those improvements would be on Dixie Airport Road to U.S. 29 and possibly other areas. Upgrades would include curb ramps for wheelchairs.

In other business, the council is seeking to fill two key positions –– appointments to the planning commission and the board of zoning appeals.

The planning commission post is key because the town is updating the comprehensive plan, which would be subject to hearings and public input by the commission and then the council. Periodically the commission considers changes to the town subdivision and zoning ordinance.

The zoning appeals board meets only when a case is referred for review.

The council also decided to schedule a joint meeting with the Amherst County Board of Supervisors, which tentatively would be in October, Hobbs said.