Contractors Express Interest In County Projects

Some central Illinois contractors are expressing interest in doing work on some county-owned buildings in the Danville area.  Bill Pickett has more…..

Blaine Meadows of Centrica Business Solutions says his company has heard from several contractors ….

{Audio: “We’ve engaged and been working with around sixteen different firms for various scope items throughout all the county buildings.  Whether that’s electrical companies, mechanical companies, window, and G. C. companies, as well as solar companies.”}

Meadows’ firm was hired by the County Board to be the turn-key design leader regarding energy savings and conservation work at the buildings.  He outlined what buildings are involved….

{Audio:  “We’re looking at the Joseph G. Cannon Building, the Rita B. Garman Courthouse, we’d be looking at the highway department, the county health department, the animal shelter, as well as the maintenance garage.”}

Centrica is committed to formalizing its proposal – including fixed prices – within two to three months.  It will be up to the County Board to decide whether to proceed with the improvements.  The Board has nearly $6-million dollars available in federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds to pay for the work.  The ARPA money is part of over $19-billion dollars distributed to units of government across the nation to help in the recovery from the pandemic.

Since the Joseph G. Cannon Building is on the National Registry of Historic Places, Meadows notes certain guidelines must be followed…

{Audio:  “There are certain parameters and guidelines set in place by the National Park Service, as well as the State Historic Preservation Office that we have to follow.  And frankly, any company has to follow (them) if they were to make any improvements, or any changes or alterations to the facility whatsoever.”}

The building is located in Danville’s downtown area.