Lil’ Chompers Child Care in Greenbush took a major step forward in its long-term construction plans with a public bid opening Thursday, Feb. 5.
The plans indicate an approximate 5,500 square-foot child care center building to be constructed with two infant rooms, a toddler room, a preschool room and the possibility of additional space for preschool, before and after school care, school age summer care, or a school-aged room.
Seven bids were submitted by general contractors for the project, with six meeting all required documentation standards. Representatives from Foss Architecture+Interiors were present to open and review the bids.
The lowest bid came from Diversified Contractors of Fargo, N.D., at $2,098,800. Valint Construction of Fargo submitted the second-lowest bid at $2,156,750. Additional bids were received from Gordon Construction at $2,265,155; Innes Construction at $2,618,000; Roers Construction at $2,935,000; and MAK Construction at $3,326,383.
Foss Architecture+Interiors had originally provided Lil’ Chompers with a base bid estimate of $1.5 million approximately three years ago. That early estimate did not include features now incorporated into the final bid package, such as in-floor heating, preparation for a backup generator, or prevailing wages to meet grant requirements.
Lil’ Chompers has already invested significantly in the project. A total of $74,343.75 has been paid to Foss Architecture+Interiors for design and engineering services, with a remaining balance of $23,156.25. Additional owned collateral includes the bare lot for the facility, playground equipment, kitchen equipment, storage unit, and classroom materials that are being lent to furnish the Greenbush-Middle River preschool program. Once an agreement is finalized, Lil’ Chompers will submit a timeline and schedule to the public.
The project represents an important investment in child care infrastructure for the Greenbush area, and board members and core team members continue working toward securing the remaining funding needed to move the project forward.
To date, Lil’ Chompers Child Care has secured $1 million in congressional funding and an additional $240,000 through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. These funds will be applied toward the lowest base bid of $2,098,800, leaving an approximate funding shortfall of $858,800.