'Center making progress for expansion'

Dilapidated and abandoned outbuildings on property in the 900 block of Beverly Drive have been torn down to clear the way for the Carson City Senior Citizens Center's expansion project.

Contingent on bids, construction is expected to begin around the first of July.

"The bid process will go to Demand Star, an Internet business, on May 16," said Janice McIntosh, director of the senior center.

"The bid information won't be available on the Internet until May 20. The plan calls for 26 different bids. This includes roofer, foundation guys, earthmovers, electrical, tiling, plumbing, a whole bunch of them. We're hoping to get the very best bid we can for each one, with keeping changes to a minimum."

Bids will be advertised for 21 days until June 17.

Metcalf Builders is serving as construction manager and will review all bids. McIntosh said whoever is most qualified and provides the best bid will be recommended by Metcalf Builders.

"We want to stay within our budget of $2.6 million," McIntosh said. "We still have to provide interior furniture and window coverings (in the new building). I've written a Community Development Block Grant for a new dining room, at $126,000. We're still in the running for it.

"We are also selling bricks for the Jon Plank Memorial Courtyard because we have to have so much in matching funds for the grant. The bricks are $100 each and can have three lines with 20 spaces per line read whatever the donor wants. Or, two or three people can buy one brick if $100 is too much for one person. That brick is something that will be there forever."

The expansion will put the center at 32,836 square feet. It will be on 4.48 acres of donated Bureau of Land Management property, acquired by former Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev. Plans also call for additional parking.

"It's really exciting," McIntosh said about the process. "It's moving us right ahead with plans."

McIntosh said construction will take about 16 months.