Bid $453,655: County gets four bids for elections office job

James Elmore Construction, Spokane, was the lowest of four bidders to build Whitman County’s new elections office. Elmore quoted a price of $453,655 to remodel part of the county-owned building at the corner of Main and Upton Streets into the new elections office.

The building last housed Greg’s Electric.

Bob Reynolds, county facilities manager, estimated total cost of the project at more than $600,000. Bulk of the remodel cost will be paid out of a $360,000 grant the county received in 2005 through the federal Help America Vote Act.

Auditor Eunice Coker said approximately $80,000 of the HAVA grant is committed to purchase furniture and fixtures.

Plans call for the front half of the building, approximately 2,600 square feet, to be remodeled to provide better access for disabled voters. It will have two street-level doors into a lobby.

The building is currently used to store equipment for courthouse repairs and some of the county’s emergency communications equipment.

Also bidding on the project were Western States Construction, Valleyford, $514,000; M.E. Uphus, Spokane, $522,161; and Brown Construction, Spokane Valley, $557,400.

Reynolds said he will consult with architect Michael Beaman, Portland. They were scheduled for a conference call with Elmore officials Wednesday. A recommendation for the contract could come as soon as Monday.