February 18, 2011
San Quentin expansion project award on hold
State officials recently announced a second delay in awarding the construction contract for the first phase of a controversial project to expand San Quentin’s condemned inmate facility.
The state Legislature in 2003 approved the $220 million expansion project, which would include 1,024 cells. But unforeseen costs meant the proposed project had to be downsized to 768 cells. The project is now estimated to cost roughly $356 million.
The first phase of construction includes demolition, site grading, utilities, housing units and towers. The bidding for the first phase began on Oct. 19. There were nine bids submitted, all of which were below the state’s estimated bid of $189 million, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The lowest bid was from Roseville-based McCarthy Building Companies Inc., at approximately $126.3 million...
LINK - MarinScope.com
