Whatcom County plans renovation of Civic Center Building for Public Works

JARED PABEN - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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Whatcom County Public Works staff is currently spread among five different buildings.

A new project will make it four.

The county plans to refurbish the third floor of the Civic Center Building, the county-owned building near the corner of Commercial and Lottie streets. Bringing the now-vacant floor up to code will allow the county to move Public Works staff from the Copper Building down the street, where the county leases space.

The County Council on Tuesday, Nov. 10, will consider approving an $885,000 bid from Bellingham-based contractor Vertical Inc. to do the work. The work would cost up to $929,000, counting money set aside for contingency costs. The company beat out 11 other bidders.

"I just think it's a smart move on the county," said Mike Russell, facilities manager for Whatcom County. "Instead of paying money out, we're basically helping our own buildings and doing some work for a county building to make it more usable."

The county doesn't get accused of making smart moves very often, he said, laughing.

According to the county budget, officials would loan $700,000 from one fund to help pay for the work, and would transfer $400,000 from another. The $700,000 would be paid back over a decade from two funds that directly pay for Public Works operations and projects.

The money would normally pay the lease for space at the Copper Building, at Young and Girard streets, Russell said.

Public Works staff is currently spread among those two buildings and three buildings near Smith Road and Northwest Avenue, said Frank Abart, public works director.

The work will create a central reception area for the building on the third floor and install a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, Russell said. It'll also take the former Hizzoner's Deli space on the ground floor and turn it into a space for government meetings with the public.

The work should begin later this month and finish by early spring, Russell said.

ATTEND THE MEETING

What: The County Council will consider approving a bid for renovations to the third floor of the Civic Center Building.

When: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 (finance committee discussion), 7 p.m. (full council consideration).

Where: County Council Chambers, 311 Grand Ave. in Bellingham.

More information: Click here to see the meeting agenda item on the bid.