Board approves $225,317 project to install lift at civic auditorium

The La Porte City Board of Public Works and Safety approved a project-management agreement on April 21 to install a lift at the civic auditorium.

Staff presented a draft agreement with Larson Danielson Construction to manage the work and said Otis Elevator provided a unit quote of $153,334 for the elevator/lift component. Larson Danielson proposed a $50,000 allowance, a $1,500 performance/payment bond and a contractor fee of $20,483, producing an estimated total budget of $225,317.40. Tony O, representing Larson Danielson, said elevator work is specialized, regulated and performed by a small set of vendors, which has complicated procurement in the past.

The board approved the project-management agreement and accompanying budget estimate, with final contract language to be reviewed by legal and the city's CDBG administrator. A board member emphasized the elevator's importance to seniors and community access.

The motion passed by voice vote; staff said the vendor and project-management structure will help meet the limited timeframe and funding constraints for the upgrade.