After months of delay, approval on a contractor to begin construction on the new Center for the Arts building was scheduled to be decided by the Board of Trustees on Wednesday.EDGE Development, Inc. was favored over 11 other contractors for its ability to meet qualifications and for being the most affordable, according to Richard van Pelt, interim vice president for administrative services.
“The issues of the qualifications of a contractor are very long and extensive.The essence of it is that a company has to have the experience and the financial wherewithal to complete the project. In the end, the successful bidder is chosen because they combine both the experience and ability with having the lowest bid,” van Pelt said.
Construction is expected to begin in about three or four weeks after the bid is approved, according to van Pelt.
In the meantime, things such as setting up bonds, notifying subcontractors and setting up a perimeter of fencing around the area must be completed before beginning demolition on the old T and K Buildings.
“In the event that the Board of Trustees rejects the bids, we would then begin the bidding process anew,” van Pelt said.
Construction for the Center for the Arts was estimated to cost roughly $52 million.
EDGE Development, Inc. bid a total about $28 million for the project, according to the recommendation that was presented to the board.
The project is funded by the Measure “P” Bond, which was approved by Pasadena Area Community College District voters in the March 2002 elections.
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