Bastrop, Tx–When city officials opened bids this week for construction of improvements on Chestnut Street between Water Street and the Union Pacific Railroad line, the apparent best bid was for just more than half the engineer’s official cost estimate. That left Bastrop leaders hopeful that similar cost savings may appear when they open bids next month for construction of a new city hall and a convention center.
During Tuesday’s city council meeting, City Manager Mike Talbot announced that the apparent winning bid for the Chestnut Street work was $786,000. The engineer’s cost estimate for the work was $1.4 million.
The project includes utility relocations and reconstruction, new sidewalks, street lighting and landscaping, all part of an effort to encourage pedestrian traffic and retail development eastward from Main Street toward the new city hall and convention center. The cost will be covered by the city’s half-cent sales tax devoted to economic development efforts.
In a slumping economic climate, contractors and builders appear eager to secure work, even at bargain rates, Talbot suggested. The street project drew offers from seven bidders. Prices ranged from $786,000 to almost $1.5 million, he said.