Project could cost $1,199,995

The Main Street Junction/Junction Park project involving the renovation of the old Super 10 building and the construction of new facility on the old Teritex site could cost the City of Union just under $1.2 million.

Union City Council voted 4-2 Tuesday with councilmen Ricky Harris and Yates Giles opposed to authorize Mayor Harold Thompson to enter into contract negotiations with The Montgomery Company for the designing and building of Main Street Junction for $1,199,995.

Council took the action following a background briefing by Robby Moody, Senior Planner for the Catawba Regional Council of Governments.

Moody told council that the Main Street Junction Committee had solicited bids for design-build services for renovations at 107 East Main Street and construction of an outdoor event space at the former Teritex site. He said the design-build approach was used to ensure that decisions made during the design phase are seamlessly implemented during the construction phase. In addition, Moody said a team-based approach that includes the contractor from the beginning will help reduce potential conflicts and costly change-orders.”

Moody said a pre-bid meeting and building walk-through was held on May 21 with 11 firms participating. He said the firms were briefed on the vision for the building and vacant lot, the importance of a multi-disciplinary team, the project schedule, and given a $1.2 million budget.

The deadline for the firms to submit their proposals for the project was June 19, and Moody said that Kingsmore Construction and The Montgomery Company were the only ones to submit proposals with preliminary budgets. Kingsmore’s preliminary budget total $1.7 million while Montgomery’s totaled $1,199,995.

The proposals were submitted to the committee on July 14, and Moody said that the committee selected The Montgomery Company as the firm for the project.

Moody said that the design phase of project would occur during August and September with the subsequent construction phase lasting six months. He then recommended that council authorize Thompson to enter into contract negotiations with The Montgomery Company for design-build services for $1,199,995

In July and also at Moody’s recommendation, council voted to authorize Thompson to enter into contract negotiations with The Montgomery Company for design services not to exceed $120,000.

Main Street Junction

The Main Street Junction will be located in the old Super 10 at 107 East Main Street in downtown Union. In a report presented to council at its July meeting, Moody said plans are for the building to be renovated to provide space for the following purposes:

• 1st Floor (5,000 square feet)

— Weddings and rehearsal dinners

— Class and family reunions

— Meetings and conferences

• 2nd Floor (5,000 square feet)

— Board room/meeting space

— Offices for Tourism Board and others

— Studio space for local artists

• Park space

— Large plaza/lawn area for outdoor gatherings as an extension of Main Street Junction.

Improvements

The report presented by Moody also included a list of the following required improvements including:

• Architectural elements

— Memorable facade/entryway

— Keep/repair existing tin ceiling

— Exposed brick walls on first floor

— HVAC ductwork exposed

• Move-in ready event space

— Performance area, lighting and audio systems, and movable risers/stage

• Electrical, plumbing, HVAC — Compliant with all codes

• LED light fixtures

• Wi-Fi, cable television, telephone and alarm system

• Caterer’s kitchen

• Restrooms (both floors)

• Passenger elevator

• Storage/equipment room

• Attractive, durable and low-maintenance flooring, furnishings, fixtures and equipment.

Completed Work

The report presented by Moody also included a list of the work that has already been done on the building including:

• Architectural and Engineering studies

• Building stabilization activities

— 1st Floor

* Demolition of floor system

* Removal of asbestos floor tiles/mastic

* Removal of a drop ceiling and fluorescent lights

— 2nd Floor

• Windows replaced on front facade

Junction Park

Located behind the building on an empty 1/2 acre site will be Junction Park. The report presented by Moody states that a master plan is needed for the site.

By Charles Warner, Staff Reporter with The Union Daily Times