Water, sewer project faces Tuesday vote

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Feb. 21, 2004
Meridian City Councilmen delayed until Tuesday a decision whether to seek new bids to construct water and sewer lines for the Interstate 20/59 industrial park a move some fear could hurt business recruitment.
Councilmen said they need to know if the federal Economic Development Administration will extend Meridian's Feb. 27 deadline to hire a builder or lose a $1.5 million grant the city needs to help fund construction.
Councilmen originally planned to act on the water and sewer project this week. But the issue became complicated amid confusion over the deadline for companies to submit bids on the construction project.
The problem: Legal ads in which Meridian solicited bids for the project set an 11:30 a.m. Feb. 3 deadline, while an addendum from the design firm of Engineering Associates said the deadline was 11 a.m.
Five companies submitted bids, with Hemphill Construction Co. the lowest at $2.673 million followed by Bowie River Construction Co. at $2.683 million. Hemphill's arrived at 11:10 a.m., while Bowie's arrived at 11 a.m.
Councilmen, though, were afraid to hire Hemphill Construction because of the error by Engineering Associates. Bowie River has vowed to sue the city if councilmen hired Hemphill.
Officials with Engineering Associates could not be reached for comment.
Councilmen were faced with three options: They could hire Hemphill, they could hire one of the other companies that submitted bids, or they could scrap all bids and re-advertise the job.
If the council re-advertises for bids, the move could delay the project for at least another two months a move some local leaders say could hurt the area's ability to recruit new industry.
Delayed work
Meridian announced in December that water and sewer line construction would begin in March. The project also will include the installation of a 500,000-gallon water tank at the 600-acre industrial park.
The project is expected to cost a little more than $3 million, with $1.5 million from the EDA grant and $1.6 million from the city. Lauderdale County funds were used to acquire the site in 2000.
Lauderdale County Supervisor Joe Norwood, who represents District 4 and serves as president of the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors, said he also is concerned about another delay in water and sewer.
Meridian city officials said they also are worried about the impact of more delays. Councilmen say the most frustrating part is that the error was made by Engineering Associates, not city staffers.