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NEW CASTLE, Colorado — Work on the new Wastewater facility in New Castle is expected to begin as soon as February 1.
According to New Castle Public Works Director John Wenzel, city officials signed a contract on Thursday, Jan 8, with Salida based Moltz Construction for a reported $6.58 million.
With added cost of engineering and design, Wenzel estimated total costs to be around $7.5 million. However, that price is a welcomed surprise when initial costs were reported as high as $16 million.
“We’ve been fortunate to be able to take advantage of the economic downturn with construction cost being down considerable than initial estimates,” Wenzel said.
Construction is also expected to be completed by the end of 2009 despite initial estimates that it could take until mid 2010 to be competed.
“We anticipated 18 months,” Wenzel said. “To us it’s a big project, but to them it’s a small one.”
The new facility will more than double the city’s current wastewater capacity from 250,000 gallons per day to 600,000. And will also be built to allow for two future additions that could increase the facilities capacity to 1.8 million gallons if needed.
“This should get us through the next 20 years,” Wenzel said.
The project is going to displace the city’s current public works facility. However, that is just another project town administration has planned for 2009. The new public works facility is moving into a new building across from Elk Creek Elementary School. That project will include public works administration offices, an enclosed equipment storage area and mechanic space, a fueling station, and material storage. The property also includes a half acre parcel that will become a public park with access to Elk Creek.
Wenzel said that the public works facility hasn’t gone to bid yet, no contract has been signed, but is estimated to cost an additional $850,000.
Funding has already been established for the wastewater facility including a $1.5 million grant from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). The wastewater project is not part of the $3 million bond passed by voters in November. That bond is for a new water treatment plant.
Wenzel said, in addition to the new facility the town are considering seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) designation for the facility.
However, construction cost for LEED designation will add about $80,000 to the project and anther $60,000 to $70,000 just to receive the certification.
“We may go ahead with the construction aspects without actually getting the certification,” Wenzel said.
And for those residence of New Castle who live in close proximity to the new facility, Wenzel said that it will include a “pretty advanced odor control system,” which should eliminate much of the odor.
Contact John Gardner: 384-9114
jgardner@postindependent.com
According to New Castle Public Works Director John Wenzel, city officials signed a contract on Thursday, Jan 8, with Salida based Moltz Construction for a reported $6.58 million.
With added cost of engineering and design, Wenzel estimated total costs to be around $7.5 million. However, that price is a welcomed surprise when initial costs were reported as high as $16 million.
“We’ve been fortunate to be able to take advantage of the economic downturn with construction cost being down considerable than initial estimates,” Wenzel said.
Construction is also expected to be completed by the end of 2009 despite initial estimates that it could take until mid 2010 to be competed.
“We anticipated 18 months,” Wenzel said. “To us it’s a big project, but to them it’s a small one.”
The new facility will more than double the city’s current wastewater capacity from 250,000 gallons per day to 600,000. And will also be built to allow for two future additions that could increase the facilities capacity to 1.8 million gallons if needed.
“This should get us through the next 20 years,” Wenzel said.
The project is going to displace the city’s current public works facility. However, that is just another project town administration has planned for 2009. The new public works facility is moving into a new building across from Elk Creek Elementary School. That project will include public works administration offices, an enclosed equipment storage area and mechanic space, a fueling station, and material storage. The property also includes a half acre parcel that will become a public park with access to Elk Creek.
Wenzel said that the public works facility hasn’t gone to bid yet, no contract has been signed, but is estimated to cost an additional $850,000.
Funding has already been established for the wastewater facility including a $1.5 million grant from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). The wastewater project is not part of the $3 million bond passed by voters in November. That bond is for a new water treatment plant.
Wenzel said, in addition to the new facility the town are considering seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) designation for the facility.
However, construction cost for LEED designation will add about $80,000 to the project and anther $60,000 to $70,000 just to receive the certification.
“We may go ahead with the construction aspects without actually getting the certification,” Wenzel said.
And for those residence of New Castle who live in close proximity to the new facility, Wenzel said that it will include a “pretty advanced odor control system,” which should eliminate much of the odor.
Contact John Gardner: 384-9114
jgardner@postindependent.com
