Commissioners approve bidding for Ag Storage Center at Rowan Community Center with alternates

Rowan County authorized staff Feb. 16 to proceed to bid on an agricultural storage building planned behind the Rowan Community Center. ADW Architects (Philip Steele) and county project staff reviewed a base pre‑engineered building of approximately 3,000 square feet (three overhead doors, unit heaters) and presented alternates including an additional bay (raising area to ~3,600 sq ft) and skylights. Preliminary cost estimates from the presenter put construction at about $694,810, a 5% contingency of $34,740, design fees of $67,500, and a total estimated project cost including alternates near $797,050.

Commissioners raised questions about handling standing water/runoff behind the building and whether interior partition walls (a petition wall) should be included to protect stored equipment and chairs from dust. Staff said stormwater connections tie to existing waterlines and that the demonstration garden/grass area behind the site was not part of this project scope. Commissioners also checked that bay door widths (12 feet) would accommodate county equipment. Staff noted skylights would be bid as an add alternate so the county could accept or reject them after bids returned.

The board voted to authorize the project to go out to bid with alternates, and directed staff to return with actual bid results and pricing for final award.