Elk County opens bids for jail façade and Ridgeway curb cut; commissioners table jail award pending review

Elk County commissioners on April 2 opened construction bids for two local public-works projects and took separate actions: they tabled action on jail restoration bids pending staff review and tentatively accepted the apparent low bid for a Ridgeway curb-cut project subject to engineer confirmation.

Ryan Miller, county engineer, described the jail project as masonry restoration and window work on the courthouse-area jail’s original 1885 section. Six bids were opened and read aloud; examples included a Super Shine Cleaning and Restoration figure around $60,096, a Keystone Masonry Restoration bid around $203,488, Graciano Corporation and Alagini Restoration bids in the $160,000–$192,000 range, and others. "The bids have a wide range," Miller said, recommending careful review to ensure all proposals are apples-to-apples on scope and travel costs.

Planning staff Becky Taylor recommended tabling the jail bids to allow a closer review by the planning office and the county engineer; commissioners moved to table the six bids to the next meeting so staff could verify compliance and scope details. The motion carried by voice vote.

For the Ridgeway Borough curb-cut project (Turn Alley area), Becky Taylor reported three bids and identified Stiger (transcript: "Stiger/Stagger") Masonry as the apparent low bidder at $102,197. The commission voted to accept the apparent low bid contingent on the engineer’s final review and coordination with Ridgeway Borough.

County officials said tabling the jail award was driven by the unusually wide spread among bids and the desire to ensure local and out-of-area bids are evaluated on the same scope and costs. Staff will return to the commission at the next meeting with their review and a recommendation.