After three previous failed attempts, the Borough Council has finally awarded a contract for the downtown revitalization project.
By: Scott Morgan
HIGHTSTOWN Let the revitalization begin.
After a series of advertisements that failed to draw any viable bids, the Borough Council announced Monday that it finally has awarded the general construction contract for the downtown revitalization project to Lucas Electric Co. Inc. of Washington Township. Coupled with a $5,000 donation toward the project by the Minute Maid Co., whose local distributor is based on Mercer Street, the downtown revitalization project is formally under way.
Council President Mike Vanderbeck said Lucas Electric will provide all electrical work and would likely subcontract for concrete or heavy construction work.
"More than 50 percent of the work will probably be electrical, so it makes sense for an electrical company to be the prime contractor," Mr. Vanderbeck said.
Matt Lucas, president and owner of Lucas Electric, said he anticipates subcontracting 20 to 25 percent of the project to other contractors. Mr. Lucas said his company will be handling all electrical work, traffic control, underground utilities work and most cosmetic features of the project, while the paving and milling aspects will be subcontracted to a "local, reputable contractor." Mr. Lucas said he did not want to announce prospective subcontractors at this time.
This was the fourth time the borough advertised for bids. Three prior failures in securing adequate bids nearly sent the borough into private negotiations with contractors. According to New Jersey Department of Transportation rules, a municipality may only advertise a project twice before its scope must be changed to allow another advertisement, Mr. Vanderbeck said.
He also said that the borough withdrew specifications to introduce an irrigation system as part of the project in order to bring down the cost estimate. That system, he said, involved running an automated sprinkler system for plants through street light fixtures. He added, however, that the borough intends to reintroduce the irrigation system once the project is under way.
The contract awarded is worth $1,348,272.90.
According to Mr. Vanderbeck, the $5,000 donation by the Minute Maid Co. is the result of a direct effort by Mayor Amy Aughenbaugh to raise money for the revitalization project. During Monday’s Borough Council meeting, Mayor Aughenbaugh called the donation "the beginning of fund-raising efforts and the first of many (donations) we expect."
Mr. Vanderbeck said the donation will "go into the pool" and not toward any specific aspect of the project yet.
The revitalization project will include devices designed to beautify the downtown area, slow traffic flow and make the region easier to navigate for pedestrians. It also will include five "impact zones" areas that will see improvement.
Zone 1 is Franklin Street from the intersection with Broad Street past the entrance to Krauszer’s Food Store. Zone 2 includes the intersection of Franklin and Main streets. Zone 3 focuses on the intersection of Main and Stockton streets. Zone 4 is the area where Main Street forks into Mercer Street and South Main Street. Zone 5 contains the intersection of Rogers Avenue and Mercer Street.
General plans for the revitalization call for brick to be laid between a new curb and new sidewalk and for all crosswalks to feature "streetscape" designed to look like brick. Decorative lights will be included in all of the zones, according to the plans, with benches placed in four of the five areas. Decorative bollards, or posts, will be added in certain locations, such as the proposed traffic island in front of Krauszer’s, to allow pedestrians to feel protected from traffic, Mr. Vanderbeck said.
He said he plans to work with the council and Lucas Electric to secure materials needed to "hit the ground running" once spring arrives. DOT rules prohibit construction on state highways (such as Route 33) during winter months. Mr. Vanderbeck said he would like to begin pre-ordering materials and supplies so construction may begin in or around April 2002.