CROOKSTON -- The Polk County Commission approved a $580,000 remodeling project at the County Government Center that will move the Social Services and related departments to the vacant third floor.
The County Board accepted the low bid of $511,000 from Innes Construction of Grand Forks. The project will include an additional $70,000 for asbestos removal and for new ceilings.
"We just need to bite the bullet and do it," Commission Chairman Don Diedrich said.
"If we don't do it now, it won't happen," added commissioner Warren Strandell.
The project, which was approved unanimously, also will combine several existing offices on the main floor of the Polk County Government Center, creating a one-stop shop county service center that will include offices such as county auditor-treasurer, recorder and license center.
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The third floor has been vacant since the $25 million Polk County Justice Center and Tri-County Community Corrections opened in the south end of Crookston in early 2008. The floor had housed courtrooms and court-related offices, such as the state's attorney.
Several social services offices had been housed in the Crookston Professional Center, an old, deteriorating building across the street from the Government Center. Those offices moved temporarily into the Government Center basement several weeks ago.
The County Board expects the project to be completed by spring.
Other bidders were:
- JP Structures, Menahga, Minn., $513,299.
- Schmitz Builders, Red Lake Falls, Minn., $$530,155.
- Industrial Contract Services (ICS), Grand Forks, $$573,615.
- Diversified Contractors, Fargo, $588,200.
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- Comstock Construction, Fargo, $592,105.
- Excel, Anoka, Minn., $667,090.
Reach Bonham at (701) 780-1110; (800) 477-6572, ext. 110; or send e-mail to kbonham@gfherald.com .
