RENOVATION Mentor company to lead Kinsman House project

WARREN -- The city's board of control has awarded the contract for Kinsman House exterior renovations to Jance Construction LLC of Mentor.
The company will clean and restore the outside of the historic Mahoning Avenue mansion and its adjacent land title house, 303 and 321 Mahoning Ave.
The brick will be repainted. Windows, shutters, exterior woodwork and all brick and stone exterior surfaces, including chimneys, are part of the project.
The contract is for $485,506.
Jack Gibson Construction Co. of Warren was the other bidder and had bid $521,100 for the same scope of work.
There was too great a cost difference between the bids, Mayor Michael O'Brien noted in explaining why the local company was not selected.
"After a thorough examination of both bids, the local bid was still 7.25 percent over the Mentor bid," O'Brien said.
He stressed both companies "were of equal portfolio" as far as historic renovation projects are concerned.
The board of control consists of O'Brien and Safety-Service Director William Franklin.
Background
The Kinsman House, a Greek Revival style structure, was built in 1832. The project has been planned since 2001.
The architect is Gaede Serne Architects Inc., Cleveland, a specialist in historic renovations. The architect had recommended awarding the contract to Jance Construction.
The Kinsman House project is a part of Warren's Community Development Block Grant program.