Совет города Чельси отклонил все предложения по ремонту мэрии из-за превышения бюджета

CHELSEA, Ala. — Chelsea leaders are sending a City Hall renovation project back out for bids after the first round came in well above the city’s roughly $350,000 budget. The City Council voted to reject all bids and revise the project specifications, rather than accept a contract that would exceed the city’s estimate. The project would build out much of the mostly empty second floor of City Hall for the building and finance departments. It also includes smaller changes to council chambers to accommodate Chelsea’s new mayor-council form of government, including a place for the mayor. City Council President Scott Weygand said the building’s main floor was completed when City Hall was built around 2005 or 2006, but much of the upper floor remains unfinished. “It’s got one or two offices and then the center part of it is a very large just shell,” Weygand said. “That’s what we’re getting quotes on building out for these new city services — our building department, putting our finance department up there.” The city had budgeted about $350,000 for the work. Weygand said the bids came in significantly higher, pushing the project outside that budget. During the council meeting, city officials said the submitted bids exceeded the project’s budgeted estimates. Council then approved a resolution rejecting them and directed the city to rewrite the specifications before seeking new bids. The decision shifts the focus from simply getting the renovation done to whether Chelsea can get it done at a price leaders believe is fair to taxpayers. “We set a budget for a reason,” Weygand said. “If it’s too far over again, we just will have to consider doing it later on in the future.” Chelsea still needs more office space, Weygand said, but the city is not prepared to move forward at any price. Officials will now adjust the plan and put it back before contractors. “We’re going to go back to the drawing board, try to adjust the plan and rebid it and see if we can’t get it within our budget and be the best stewards we can for our citizens’ money,” Weygand said. City officials have not released the complete bid tabulation showing each original offer. That information will help show how far the bids exceeded the city’s budget and whether changes to the scope could bring the project closer to the target price. If the second round of bids still does not fit the budget, Weygand said Chelsea may delay the work and continue operating in its current space until the project can be revisited. Trending Darius Miles charged with felony after synthetic marijuana allegation Former Alabama basketball standout Darius Miles, 24, of Tuscaloosa is facing a felony charge of failure to affix a tax stamp, according to a warrant filed in Tu Birmingham man dies after being hit by SUV on U.S. 280 in Shelby County SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. (WBMA) - A Birmingham man died after he was struck by an SUV on U.S. 280 in Shelby County, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.T $9M for turf? Vestavia Hills library supporters want answers VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. (WBMA) — Vestavia Hills leaders are preparing to make decisions on a proposed $9 million investment in Liberty Park athletic fields as supp Madison County man charged with murder in mother’s death A 23-year-old Madison County man is facing a murder charge after his mother was found dead inside a home on Oak Grove Road. New Hope police went to the home in Dora police ask for help identifying theft, card fraud suspect Dora police are asking for the public’s help identifying a person connected to a felony theft and the fraudulent use of a credit or debit card. Police released NEWS IN PHOTOS: " Local " 6 Chelsea rejects City Hall renovation bids, seeks better deal for taxpayers 6 Coast Guard Expands Birmingham Presence as First Class Graduates at Former BSC Campus 10 Photos: Questions remain after Jeep ends up in Birmingham creek 16 Coca-Cola UNITED says $350M Birmingham campus exceeds original investment, job goals