Robin Hilber
A project to remodel Turning Point Domestic Violence Services’ shelter and expand its capacity is shaping up to be more expensive than expected.
The Columbus Board of Works opened four bids for the project on Tuesday and voted to take the proposals under advisement. However, assistant Director of Community Development Robin Hilber said she was unsure if the project would be able to move forward, as even the lowest base bid was almost $100,000 more than what the city has granted for the project.
“I’m not sure Turning Point has the money to make up this difference,” she said.
Turning Point President Whittney Loyd replied that the organization is taking the bids under advisement and reviewing the scope of the project.
According to Hilber, the submitted bids were as follows:
- Taylor Brothers — Base bid of $237,000. Alternate 1: $15,000. Alternate 2: $17,000.
- Dunlap and Company — Base bid of $245,000. Alternate 1: $2,500. Alternate 2: $6,500.
- Repp and Mundt — Base bid of $273,841. Alternate 1: $17,722. Alternate 2: $12,583.
- Driftwood Builders — Base bid of $334,980. Alternate 1: $12,590. Alternate 2: $15,895.
The city has granted $149,000 to Turning Point for the project, using Community Development Block Grant funds that it received in 2020 as part of an additional allocation under the CARES Act. The city allocated $144,000 for facility renovations to the shelter, and $5,000 is for labor standards monitoring, Hilber said.
The project’s base bid includes a complete demolition and remodel of the first floor bathroom and kitchenette, a remodel of the second floor group bathroom, security system updates and other necessary work to facilitate the renovations.
“Turning Point found that they really were in need of greater capacity at their facility, especially once the (pandemic) lockdown was over,” Hilber told board of works members. She said the project is expected to add around 15 beds to the shelter and improve accessibility.
