Dickinson State University announced Thursday that bids for a substantial portion of the Badlands Activities Center have been reviewed and the demolition of Whitney Stadium should begin in the next week or two.
Casey Jackson, BAC project manager with Mortenson Construction in Minneapolis, said they are happy with where the project is at.
"We are extremely excited that this portion of the bidding process is complete and we are eager to move forward with construction," said Jackson.
Bids on the first portion of the project, which includes demolition of the existing facility, asphalt paving, artificial turf, synthetic track surfacing, seating, electrical work and sports equipment, was re-bid in January after the bids received did not meet Century Code guidelines.
Because DSU is a public institution, bidding and construction are governed by the North Dakota Century Code.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ron Treacy, director of DSU university relations, said they have received acceptable bids and are in contract negotiations with construction companies. Treacy said once the contracts are signed they would make the identities available to the public.
"Then we'll know exactly the day that the demolition will begin," Treacy said.
Contracts for the first phase of construction are expected to be finalized next week, all but the synthetic track surface. All bids were over budget on that and the university will seek out new bids.
The second portion of the project includes concrete foundations and has also been re-bid and will be opened March 17. The third bid will include steel fabrication and steel erection. Bids opened on Tuesday and the university is prepared to move forward with issuing contracts.
Bids for the remaining parts of the project will be opened in late March.
Dickinson provided $6 million from the city's sales tax revenue to help fund the project. City Commission members recently decided to pay $1.8 million of the $6 million in 2009, instead of the originally-determined $1.5 million.
A presentation updating the public and commission on the project status is at Monday's 6 p.m. City commission meeting.
