Friday, April 26, 2024
The Gatesville City Council awarded a contract for $176,636 to RNDI of Rockwall to demolish the former Rotunda Nursing Home at 2525 Osage Road.
The city acquired the building, which has been abandoned by its former tenant since 2000, through tax foreclosure in 2008. Asbestos abatement and demolition of two wings of the building were completed in 2014 and 2015.
After five unsuccessful attempts to acquire grant funding, Gatesville's persistence finally paid off in 2021 when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the city a Brownfield Cleanup grant, which required a 20% local match.
A total of $183,409 in federal funds were awarded to remove the two remaining structures on the property. The city's match is $36,682.
Gatesville received five bids for the demolition. The lowest was from Sierra Demolition of Jarrell for $145,000. Interim City Manager Bill Parry said that bid "lacked specifics in terms of their plan, as well as experience" in doing similar work.
RNDI's bid was the second lowest. "They presented a detailed plan and have extensive experience," Parry said. "They have conducted asbestos abatement and demolition in 40-plus schools in Dallas ISD, 120 properties in Dallas, and Grayson College. After consultation with Baer Engineering and the EPA Region 6 project manager, RNDI provided the best value for this project and both concurred with that recommendation."
Other bids were received from: Joe Ramon Construction of San Antonio for $351,790; American Abatement of San Antonio for $379,075; and Coastal Bend Demolition of Corpus Christi for $410,000.
Parry said a public meeting will be set before work begins to let people know about the process.
