Ventnor Commissioners rejected the single bid for building a new stage behind the library on Newport Ave.
On June 27, Ventnor Commission said no to the pricey, single bid from Walters Marine Construction.
The builder wanted close to $750,000 to build a new stage / bandshell.
Questions being asked: Why were proposed costs much higher than anticipated?
Maybe: Inflated cost due to Walters Marine being a single bidder?
Don’t forget about those pesky ‘change orders’ that can jack up the final cost.
Why just one bidder? Ventnor Mayor Tim Kriebel asking why most contractors were unaware of the stage (RFP) request for proposal.
Ventnor now forced to go ‘out to bid’ again. Another RFP, request for proposal will be posted. The architect will make changes to the design in order to reduce cost.
Residents say: Ventnor needs to get better with legal notices, transparency, sending out RFP’s, etc.
In the meantime, Ventnor will use a temporary stage on Newport Ave.
Ventnor spent most of the past year trying to get NJ DEP approval. CAFRA permits were also needed to build on or near the beach.
After all that, local govt can proceed with their own permitting process.
NOTE: These NJ State DEP and CAFRA laws seemingly don’t apply to Margate.
Example: Ventura’s Greenhouse beach deck operating (illegally?) for past 4 years.
To date, Margate Mayor Collins and Solicitor Abbott have been ok with this.
$750,000 to build an outside stage? Crazy. Just curious if maybe one of the companies that sells prefab houses might have something. I bet our own Public Works could do that.
Maybe it was one of those connected Margate contractors?
many municipalities own converted trailers that have large doors which open to reveal a stage
Ventnor Mayor Kriebel needs to ask Margate Mayor Collins how to ignore DEP and CAFRA regulations. They both work at Colmar.
Ventnor City, the last time I checked you have a carpenter shop in public works with a city Carpenter, also a employed city electrician why don’t you have them build the stage..