South Whitehall commissioners awarded bids of $8.6 million to five contractors who will be carrying out renovations and new construction for the campus master plan.

Nonconstruction costs such as furniture, interest expense, professional fees, technology networking, and rental for the temporary office site will add nearly another $2 million to the project.

Director of Finance Steve Carr said at the Dec. 4 meeting the full cost will amount to $10.5 million.

Commissioners approved the following contractors for the job: Bracy Construction Inc., general contractor; Ankiewicz Enterprises Inc., site contractor; G. R. Noto Electrical Construction Inc., electrical contractor; Dual Temp Co. Inc., mechanical contractor; and Myco Mechanical Inc., plumbing contractor.

Carr reported 38 bid packets were received overall.

“We thought if we start with winter work, we would come back with competitive pricing,” said Carr, noting contractors would be able to get a head start over the typical warmer weather construction beginnings.

Although the pricing came out higher than his April estimate of $7.5 million to $8.8 million, the bids are lower than Carr’s August forecast of $11.5 million.

The township allocated $450,000 in 2019 for professional fees to begin the preliminary outlines for the project.

Last spring commissioners approved Boyle as construction manager, MKSD architects and Pidcock engineering.

Taxes will not increase to pay for the project but Carr said the equivalent of $55.44 per resident per year would be apportioned from township funds toward a $600,000 annual loan payment.

The campus master plan includes renovation of the existing township building, a new addition behind the present structure with space for administration on the main floor and police on the lower level, and a new addition primarily for public use on the east side of the complex.

The expansion was considered necessary to provide much needed space for employees and storage of township plans and other documents.

Mechanical systems and personal areas are reportedly inadequate and worn out.

Commissioner Matt Mulqueen commented.

“The problems with this building will just get worse with age,” Mulqueen said.

When completed, the new facilities are expected to serve South Whitehall residents for the next 25-30 years.

Carr anticipates the renovation and additions will be finished by spring 2021.