County awards bid for building repairs

Architectural and engineering work will cost $193,500.
By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners hired the Warren company Phillips/Sekanick for architectural and engineering work tied to renovation of the Park-Porter building.
Commissioners selected the company after reviewing statements of qualifications from a number of companies. Phillips/Sekanick was chosen "most qualified" and will earn $193,500 for work on the building at 280 North Park Ave.
Architect Bruck Sekanick said the cost of the renovation will be between $2.5 million and $2.7 million. Adding that to the $699,500 commissioners paid for the building brings the total cost to between $3.2 million and $3.4 million.
Sekanick presented drawings showing the first floor of the four-story building will house the Trumbull County Department of Job and Family Services' One-Stop job training and employment office, and JFS customer service area.
The second floor will contain more One-Stop offices and the Adult Division of JFS. The third floor will contain the JFS administration and Family Division.
The basement will be for records, storage meeting rooms, restrooms and a break room, the drawings showed.
The One-Stop office is now on West Market Street, and the JFS building is on South Park Avenue, both downtown.
Sekanick said the project will provide the JFS and county Veterans Service Commission with space that meets current building code regulations -- and a new roof.
Time line
County officials plan to have the renovation project out to bid by Nov. 6 and construction started before year's end. David Zofko, the county's chief building official, said the renovation will take nine to 12 months.
"We think we'll bring about something the employees will be happy with," Sekanick said.
Commissioner Dan Polivka voted no on the resolution to hire Phillips/Sekanick. Polivka has voted no on every measure that has come before the commissioners regarding the Park-Porter Building.
Polivka reiterated Tuesday that he continues to vote no because, "I still don't feel it's the best deal for the county."
Polivka had preferred to buy the Gibson Building on East Market Street for $3 million, saying it would have been the more economical choice. That building now will be used by the Social Security Administration.
"I hope and pray that everything goes well," Polivka said of the Park-Porter project.
runyan@vindy.com