Work may resume on new animal shelter
Commissioners OK bid for site clearing for the facility on Princeton Road.
Friday, May 16, 2008
HAMILTON — A year ago this month, ground was broken on Butler County's new animal shelter, and the dirt has remained untouched ever since.
On Thursday, May 15, county commissioners made the next step in renewing their promise of building a state-of-the-art facility for local strays — and they said this time the project will move forward on budget.
Extras
In 2006, volunteers and workers from Butler County Animal Friends Humane Society introduced the idea of a 0.5-mill levy to support the move from a 55-year-old facility in Trenton to a new building off Princeton Road.
Voters approved the levy, but the only work that's been done on site was a ground breaking on May 3, 2007, featuring golden ceremonial shovels.
County officials are saying now, though, that work could begin within the next month with this week's approval of a $288,000 bid to Brochear Contractors to begin clearing the site for construction.
The bid is $30,000 less than a bid months ago for the same work, according to Interim Administrator Tim Williams, and that may go a long way in speeding up the process.
If all goes as planned this time around, the new facility could be operational by springtime next year.
Commissioners said the process thus far has been frustrating, especially given previous bids for work that have come back more than a million dollars above the $3.4 million they expected to pay.
"We have $3.4 million to spend on the animal shelter, and we're going to build it for $3.4 million," said Commissioner Donald Dixon.
Others remained concerned about holding steadfast on that number.
"It might not be enough," said Leland Gordon, executive director of Animal Friends. "We have to wait and see what the bid says when it comes back. But if there is a gap in funding, we hope that somebody in the community will step up and fill that gap."
Still, Gordon said, "It's better late than never."
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2112 or dgreber@coxohio.com.
