Eleven companies submit jail demolition bids

LANCASTER - The Fairfield County commissioners received bids from 11 companies to demolish the former maximum security jail at 221 E. Main St.

The county last year opened a new jail at 345 Lincoln Ave.

"We expect to have the building demolished by the end of April," county facilities manager Dennis Keller said in a statement.

The bids are as follows and ranged from $78,550 to $140,000:

• Maiher Demolition & Salvage Company, Carroll - $98,800.
• Watson General Contracting, Newark - $97,100.
• O'Rourke Wrecking Company, Cincinnati - $124,700.
• Master Renovations, Inc., Orrville - $118,900.
• Sunesis Environmental, LLC, Fairfield - $133,400.
• Dore & Associates, Bay City, Michigan - $95,000.
• B & B Wrecking, Cleveland - $140,000.
• Steve Rauch, Inc., Dayton - $79,240.
• S.G. Loewendick & Sons, Grove City - $89,000.
• Engel Excavating LLC, Frankfort - $84,000.
• Mark Finchum Excavating LLC, South Charleston, Ohio - $78,550.

Keller and county administrator Carri Brown will review the bids and pick the lowest and best bid. The commissioners can reject any and all bids but are expected to award the contract soon.

County budget officer Staci Knisley said all of the bids are lower than expected.

The jail will be demolished for a parking lot. After the building is demolished, the design and cost estimates of the parking lot will be determined.

"We will keep the historical look of the block in mind as we prepare for the new parking lot," Keller said.

The demolition is not the only work planned for the block since the former jail is now closed. 

The county plans to move the auditor's real estate assessment offices into the former detective bureau building at Main and High Streets after an approximate $2 million renovation. Those offices are now in the courthouse and also include the geographical information systems and mapping offices.

The renovated building — which was once the former home of noted Lancaster physician Dr. George Beery — will also feature better parking and conference rooms for the board of revision meetings and hearings.

Keller said the hope is to have that work completed by the end of the year.

Contact Brown at carri.brown@fairfieldcountyohio.gov for more information about the jail demolition project.

jbarron@gannett.com

740-681-4340

Twitter: @JeffDBarron