DOWNTOWN ARENA Construction contract bids reviewed

One contract for the arena must be rebid.
YOUNGSTOWN -- The downtown arena project is hitting the home stretch when it comes to awarding contracts for the facility.
The city opened bids Tuesday for seven parts of project. Hunt Construction Group, the Dallas-based company overseeing the project, and city officials will review the bids.
The city's board of control will consider awarding six of the seven contracts later this month.
The one contract that must be rebid is for kitchen equipment for the arena's concessions and luxury boxes.
That's because Trimark Raygal Inc. of Irvine, Calif., the lone bidder for the job, exceeded the engineer's estimate of $900,000. Trimark's bid was $1,036,800.
The city charter doesn't permit the city to award contracts when bids exceed the engineer's estimate, said Atty. Kathleen Slavens, an assistant city law director.
Michael Perry of Hunt, the project's construction manager, said once these contracts are awarded, the city will have approved about 90 percent of the arena's work.
"Only minor items are left," Perry said. "It could be a couple of months before we put those items out for bid because they're not critical."
Construction on the arena is about 30 percent to 35 percent complete, on schedule, and on budget, Perry said. Nov. 5 is the arena's opening date.
Details
The six bid openings Tuesday were for:
ULandscape and irrigation. People's Choice Landscaping of Youngstown submitted the apparent lowest of three bids for the job with a $110,761 proposal. The engineer's estimate is $194,800. People's was the only company to submit a bid Tuesday without a performance bond guarantee. Instead, the company had a letter of credit from the city human relations commission. Slavens said further review was needed to see if the letter was an acceptable replacement for the guarantee. If not, the next lowest bid for the job came from Landscape By Design of Hubbard at $169,780.
UWindows and other glass. Cherokee Glass of Ravenna had the apparent lowest of two bids at $462,000. The engineer's estimate is $527,000.
UPainting. Eugenio Painting Co. of Gross Pointe Woods, Mich., had the apparent lowest of three bids at $333,000. The engineer's estimate was $375,000.
UInterior flooring. Youngstown Tile and Terrazzo Co. of Canfield was the lone bidder at $176,742. The engineer's estimate was $180,000.
UCasework and finish carpentry including cabinets and counter tops. Custom Fabricators Inc. of Beachwood was the lone bidder at $153,000. The engineer's estimate was $200,000.
USeating for about 5,800 people. Irwin Seating Co. of Grand Rapids, Mich., was the lone bidder at $914,567.68. The engineer's estimate was $1 million.