Big Dock Construction Bids -- in February 2007

Reconstruction of the "Big Dock" in Cedar Key, estimated two years ago as a $1,300,000 job, may have taken a step forward December 21. Mills Engineering, the firm that handles Levy County engineering contracts, held a pre-bidding meeting for contractors. According for Phillip Chancery of Mills Engineering, two contractors attended the meeting. Several other firms have requested copies of the plans, although they did not attend the recommended pre-bid meeting. Bidding will be closed February 12, 2007, with construction possibly stating as early as April, 2007.

Earlier projections suggested that the job would be done in three months. However, the current deadline for completion will be set at 270 days. That may push completion of the project into 2008. The dock was closed in September 2004 after sustaining hurricane damage. The $1,300,000 Federal Emergency Management Agency funds for reconstruction are based on a two year old cost estimate, leaving open the question of getting bids under that amount.