Another look at College Street extension

A proposed contract for the detailed design of an extension into Belleville’s industrial land went back to the drawing board last night.

The difference in the four bids on the detailed design of the extension of College Street east…stretched from 99-thousand dollars all the way to the 360-thousand dollar bid that was recommended.

Councillor Taso Christopher said he had a “hell of a time” with such a “spread” of the dollars… a 300-percent difference. He asked “did they bid on the same job?”

Deputy Director of Engineering Ray Ford he didn’t think the other four bidders understood the complexity of the job. Mayor Neil Ellis emphasized the city was trying to get the work done this year to make the land available for sale.

After being assured there would be no legal ramifications, council sent staff back to clarify submissions with the bidders and report back to council.