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October 03. 2012 11:32PM
Nashua City Hall to get a new, $165,543 makeover
NASHUA — The Elm Street entrance and lobby at Nashua City Hall is about to undergo a significant renovation.
On Wednesday, the aldermanic Finance Committee approved a $165,543 contract for various improvements to the rear doors, interior lobby, city clerk's counter and city clerk's offices.
“It is a very dreary entrance, so I welcome some changes,” Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly said.
The upgrades to the Elm Street entrance of City Hall are part of several improvements previously approved by city officials, including major upgrades to its HVAC systems, and about $116,000 in new carpet that was.
The city clerk's office will be redesigned, and a handicapped-accessible counter with privacy panels will be installed, according to Mayor Donnalee Lozeau, who gave a brief presentation to committee members.
“The doors right now are a problem. They are heavy for people,” said Lozeau. The project includes sliding glass doors that will have two separate, automatic-opening entrances from either direction of the rear walkway.
The brick floor in the foyer of the building will be improved, and the door to the clerk's office will be relocated, she said. In addition, there will be a glass wall and a glass door, making the clerk's office more visible.
“This is a plan that the city clerk has worked on with us,” she said.
Some lighting changes and ceiling tile improvements will also take place, in addition to new signs directing patrons to specific city departments, according to the plans.
Renovations are expected to begin in November, and should be complete by the end of January.
There were two bids for the project, according to Lozeau, who said DL King & Assoc. — a Nashua construction firm that has completed other work for the city — is being recommended for the renovations.
The nearly $166,000 price-tag includes a 10 percent contingency of about $15,000.
“I support the project, but I don't support giving contingency to a project,” said Alderman-at-Large David Deane, the only committee member to vote in opposition of awarding the contract.
He questioned why change orders or even emergency change orders could not be utilized if unexpected purchases arise.
“I'm not looking to stifle a project or slow things down,” he said.
Lozeau said that every project should carry a contingency, and in this case, 10 percent is reasonable.
khoughton@newstote.com
On Wednesday, the aldermanic Finance Committee approved a $165,543 contract for various improvements to the rear doors, interior lobby, city clerk's counter and city clerk's offices.
“It is a very dreary entrance, so I welcome some changes,” Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly said.
The upgrades to the Elm Street entrance of City Hall are part of several improvements previously approved by city officials, including major upgrades to its HVAC systems, and about $116,000 in new carpet that was.
The city clerk's office will be redesigned, and a handicapped-accessible counter with privacy panels will be installed, according to Mayor Donnalee Lozeau, who gave a brief presentation to committee members.
“The doors right now are a problem. They are heavy for people,” said Lozeau. The project includes sliding glass doors that will have two separate, automatic-opening entrances from either direction of the rear walkway.
The brick floor in the foyer of the building will be improved, and the door to the clerk's office will be relocated, she said. In addition, there will be a glass wall and a glass door, making the clerk's office more visible.
“This is a plan that the city clerk has worked on with us,” she said.
Some lighting changes and ceiling tile improvements will also take place, in addition to new signs directing patrons to specific city departments, according to the plans.
Renovations are expected to begin in November, and should be complete by the end of January.
There were two bids for the project, according to Lozeau, who said DL King & Assoc. — a Nashua construction firm that has completed other work for the city — is being recommended for the renovations.
The nearly $166,000 price-tag includes a 10 percent contingency of about $15,000.
“I support the project, but I don't support giving contingency to a project,” said Alderman-at-Large David Deane, the only committee member to vote in opposition of awarding the contract.
He questioned why change orders or even emergency change orders could not be utilized if unexpected purchases arise.
“I'm not looking to stifle a project or slow things down,” he said.
Lozeau said that every project should carry a contingency, and in this case, 10 percent is reasonable.
khoughton@newstote.com
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