Change of Hands in Aud Demo Project
As we reported here, the question of whether or not Ontario Specialty Contracting would continue with their bid to demolish the Aud was up in the air, based on dropped scrap steel prices. Originally, OSC stood to increase the value of their $1,498,078 Aud demolition contract bid by selling the Aud's steel for reuse.
Today, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) announced that OSC has in fact opted out of their bid and that an un-amended contract will be offered to Western New York-based DEMCO, Inc.
The contract with DEMCO is likely to be approved by the ECHDC board of directors at its upcoming December meeting.
“Even in these tough economic times, ECHDC remains determined to keep the waterfront revitalization effort moving,” said Jordan Levy, chairman, Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation. “The Aud demolition contract process has presented us with certain external dynamics beyond our control. However, we’re encouraged to have quickly reached an agreement with another strong local firm, which will allow us to avoid any long-term delays or the need for a rebid.”
Titan Wrecking & Environmental LLC was the next lowest bidder, but after hearing of OSC's possible withdrawal, they filed a written withdrawal confirmation. As a result, the ECHDC agreed to formally bypass the first two firms’ respective bids, thereby avoiding possible litigation and allowing the Harbor Corp. to tender the demolition contract offer to third bidder, DEMCO, Inc.
“DEMCO, Inc. is aware of the current economic climate and has expressed a clear commitment to this project,” said Levy. “We’re confident that the firm can handle the Aud demolition work in a timely and cost-effective manner.”
Following approval, the revised contract will require DEMCO, Inc. to commence work by late-December 2008, and finish no later than late-spring/early-summer 2009. The total authorized contract reflects DEMCO's original bid and includes a base fee of $1,646,000, as well as an additional $97,000, to cover the costs of removing various commemorative architectural elements from the exterior of the building.
A contingency fee to cover any change orders that may result from a need for asbestos and other remediation needs as the demolition progresses may also be authorized by the board of directors during the December meeting.
ECHDC plans to pay for the Aud demolition contract through monies received via an agreement with the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and remaining grant funds provided by the County of Erie for asbestos remediation. C&S Companies provided the original engineering estimate for Aud demolition, assessing the work to cost roughly around $4.0 million.
An ECHDC spokesperson said, "This is a slight bump up, but it's still well under the original projected cost. Also, DEMCO is aware of steel prices, but in a better position to deal with that."
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sonyactivision
The steel is worth more where it is. Deal with that, Bass Pro lovers. I'd want to see financing in hand and permits at the ready before turning the Aud into another decade's worth of free parking.
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tudorguy
I have to agree with sony - in this economic climate Bass Pro has the perfect out.
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Hoss
Why would they want an out. We are gonna subsidize them with tax payer funds at the rate of what, 30 Million dollars? Or was it 60?
I really don't get the Bass Pro thing. Maybe I'm wrong, but it really doesn't seem complementary to the rest of what our city has to offer. I mean, bass fishing? Seems more rural or southern, than salt of the earth, anachronistic, northeastern metropolis... I guess it's all about the branding. LL Bean probably sells the same crap but it brands itself as something a little bit more rugged and self sufficient. A bit classier even. That would even be a better fit for us. But bass fishing? I don't know, I'm probably being a snob.
So if steel spikes again, who gets the profits? Demco, or the citizens of Buffalo, NY?
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Buffalo21stcentury
Lake Erie used to be one of the best of the Great Lakes Fisheries. The Buffalo Blue Pike was a staple fish and there were fishing fleets bringing their catches in every week.
I welcome Bass Pro. You know its just a name. There are alot of different kinds of fish in the Great Lakes and more fishing will put more pressure on restoring our Great Lakes fisheries.
But this is less about Bass Pro and more about getting the Aud down, and rewatering the Commercial Slip, the Erie Canal and the Main/Hamburg. OF COURSE THE SMARTIES SHOULD REMOVE THE CHURCH STREET ACCESS RAMP TO THE SKYWAY!...Once the canals are rewatered then the development can start to fill in what is becoming a very valuable section of downtown.
Of course bringing the 2nd downtown waterfront tower to construction and converting part of the Hyatt and Liberty Buildings to residential would really help downtown.
But then again...real change in downtown requires the airport to be connected to downtown via the light rail, a new convention center, the casino and Bass Pro....but think the casino is out for now.
Contrary to what people think...Bass Pro is more relavent because I can see more people hunting and fishing to supplement incomes.
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NewBuffalo
This shows just how stupid our area leaders are. A contract is just that....a contract. Why were they given an out? That is bad business. If you win the bid you must move forward. They should have taken a bond payment from the winning bidder, non refundable if they backed out.
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nick
Hey, that'll just give them even more time to continue to design the Bass Pro shop, how long has this process been going on and there is still no certain plan or design. Come on pre-fab aluminum and fakey old time history. Come on one stars, but wouldn't it be nice if for once there was some creativity in the design community and somehow the extant building could be reused instead of paying someone to demo? I'm sure whatever goes up the owners will claim the building is green and sustainable design. Green and LEED designers never take into account the demo of the existing building. Sorry for the rant, that's what happens on a day off. Happy Thanksgiving!
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meanoldman
hoss- buffalo has hosted some of the largest bass fishing tournaments in the country. lake erie is home to a large variety of game and edible fish like bass, northern pike, coho salmon and perch to name only a few. beer battered lake erie perch is the best in the country. grab a rod and reel and give it a try...
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billo
NB - there was no contract signed, they submitted a bid which was essentially an estimate of what they thought they could do it for. They were able to legally opt out of the bid by paying a couple hundred thousand bucks to the ECHDC (it was discussed in a prior article on this topic). Anyway, Bass Pro or not (I don't care) the Aud has to come down. It had some good years but now its just an eyseore.
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billo
NB - there was no contract signed, they submitted a bid which was essentially an estimate of what they thought they could do it for. They were able to legally opt out of the bid by paying a couple hundred thousand bucks to the ECHDC (it was discussed in a prior article on this topic). Anyway, Bass Pro or not (I don't care) the Aud has to come down. It had some good years but now its just an eyseore.
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Prodigal-Son
Hoss - you are being a snob, but that's okay, but your comment reveals an undercurrent to this Bass Pro debate that always lingers below the surface.
I think the connotation of much of the criticism of Bass Pro, when it is derided as a "tackle shop" or some such thing, is that we don't want NASCAR-watching, Sarah Palin-loving, rednecks in our downtown. We only want funky NE hipsters, who "appreciate" the architecture and the retro metropolitan joy of living in Buffalo.
But guess what - Buffalo is full of red-necks too, even if they don't frequent BRO or Spot coffee daily. They wear Zubaz, tailgate for six hours before a Monday Night Football game, and spend money too. Why not have a draw down at Canalside that appeals to more than the EV crowd? Would there have been this kind of uproar if REI had wanted to put a superstore down there? If not, then why not, if Bass Pro and REI sell 90% of the same stuff.
I for one am looking forward to buying a kayak at a place where I can try it on the water before purchase. Even I have to (horror) spend some time with people who fishing shows on VS while I do it.
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carlmalone
Let's band together and save this structure. Its never too late... Imagine glass where the concerete blocks are now, DC-esqu.
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NewBuffalo
Billo, that is even dumber than I thought. NO CONTRACT? When you submit an RFP (Request for proposal) contractors bid on the job. A set price is normally given with a winner awarded the contract and held to it. No wonder why this city is a mess.
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al-alo
lets go beyond a contract ~ why was there no performance bond? is there anybody thinking downtown?
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NewBuffalo
on another thought......
AUD = DAISEY CUTTER.....Problem solved!
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meanoldman
BILLO- it sounds a little like you are either a metal scrapper, or a lawyer for an injury firm! BEEN HURT IN A DEAL, WE NEED MORE MONEY FOR STEEL!!! hold companies accountable for there contracts, and lets see this eyesore come down so we can finally build something, and stop all the whining, by all of you ,where is the agreement, or written contract, lets do a study idiots!!!!!!!!!
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