Representatives from CCR Architecture & Interiors, including President Tammy Cohen, Senior Project Manager Danny Trotter, and Interior Designer Alexa Turner, were in Jasper last week for a pre-bid meeting at Sherer Auditorium, which will soon become the new home for Jasper City Hall.
Jasper Mayor David O’Mary told city council members Tuesday during his comment section of the council meeting that work could begin on the project before the end of the year.
“What we know today is that construction could begin by the end of December,” O’Mary said.
The mandatory pre-bid meeting allowed potential bidders/contractors to see inside Sherer Auditorium and walk the grounds, and it gave them the opportunity to ask questions and take any pictures or measurements they may want prior to the bid opening scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 22.
“We are close to putting together a grand structure in our city that will also preserve a piece of Jasper’s history,” O’Mary added.
A new city hall at the existing Sherer Auditorium is just one part of the city’s four-point investment plan approved last November.
Plans for the historic building consist of returning the building’s façade to its original WPA state and constructing interior spaces, including council chambers, administrative offices, meeting rooms, a break room, an elevator and a new stairway, among others. The basement space may incorporate small tenant space or rental space for development that will face Town Creek, which stands to be developed and restored in its own right in the near future.
The project is expected to last anywhere from 12 to 14 months.
During Tuesday’s meeting, O’Mary also mentioned another part of the four-point plan, which is to build a sports complex near Industrial Boulevard.
“We’re pretty well firming up what it’s going to look like,” he said.
O’Mary said bids on the project could be taken as soon as early 2023. He said both projects are expected to cost about $20 million.
“I like to talk about Jasper investing in Jasper, and that’s exactly what’s happening here,” O’Mary said. “Both projects are going to be great additions to our city.”
For more information on the four-point investment plan: (https://www.jaspercity.com/news/council-approves-mayors-4-point-plan).
In action from Tuesday council meeting:
- O’Mary gave a proclamation declaring November as National Home Care and Hospice Month in the city. O’Mary presented the proclamation to representatives from Comfort Care Hospice and Southeast Hospice.
- The council approved changing the first regular meeting of 2023 from Jan. 3 to Jan. 10.
- The city approved a request from city purchasing agent Jessica Cook to send bid invitations for concessions operations in the city.
- The council approved a request from Cook to send out bids for new time clocks. The council later introduced an amendment to the city budget to provide funding for the new time clocks.
- The city approved overnight travel for city clerk Kathy Chambless to attend a Municipal Clerk’s Conference December 1-2 in Florence.
- The council adopted a resolution to set costs for four properties that fell under the city’s nuisance abatement ordinance.
- The Council adopted a resolution to allow O’Mary to enter into an agreement with Hope for Women for use of the Memorial Park Natatorium.
- The City introduced an ordinance annexing a parcel of land located at 14 Downard Drive in District 4.
