http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-919436.mp3
Keokuk, IA – Keokuk hired Meyers Driveway and Septic Service to tear out the parking lot at the Keokuk Police Department and replace it with asphalt.
The original price tag was about $40,000.
The firm told the city, after tearing up the lot, that the concrete base would have to be replaced before a new lot could be poured.
That pushed the price for the project up to $80,000.
The city council has agreed to pay Meyers Driveway and Septic Service about $12,000 for removing the top layers of the parking lot.
The panel will seek new bids, though, for the rest of the project.
That decision came moments after the council split on a proposal to let Meyers Driveway and Septic Service finish rebuilding the parking lot.
2nd Ward Alderman Scott Nichols says the city changed the specs for the project, so new bids are needed.
"I mean it's changed drastically," said Nichols. "It's not just a small change order like a different size pipe. We are going from asphalt, which some contractors do, we only have one or two in town, to concrete."
Meyers Driveway and Septic Service cut its initial cost estimate to $60,000, but that was not enough to keep the job. The firm says the $80,000 figure was based on more advanced specifications that were needed for a simple parking lot.
Seeking new bids means it will be another month, or more, before work can resume at the Keokuk Police Department. That's because public hearings and bid-openings must still be scheduled.
You can hear two parking lot-related debates from last night's meeting by clicking the audio link above.