LIME CITY — Perrysburg Township Trustees have selected Rudolph Libbe Inc. to design and build its new administration building.
At its meeting Wednesday, trustees unanimously approved the Walbridge-based firm to design and build the 9,000-square-foot building to the south of the existing structure.
Two other bids were received, from Miller Diversified and Comte Construction.
“We are fairly confident we have jumped over ever hoop and done everything properly to get to where we are tonight,” said township Administrator Jon Eckel.
At its June 5 meeting, trustees agreed to have Eckel negotiate a contract with Rudolph Libbe to do the work.
Deficiencies were found in the first proposal, and trustees decided to readvertise, Eckel said.
The same three companies submitted bids both times.
Three engineering firms were hired both times to review and rate the proposals, Eckel said, and both times recommended Rudolph Libbee Inc.
The township has to allocate $1.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds by the end of the year or lose the money.
The estimated cost of the project is $3.67 million.
The single-story facility will include a meeting room, conference room, dispatch center, offices, kitchenette and restrooms.
Trustees last month agreed to enter into a dispatch service with the Wood County Sheriff’s Office.
“That won’t stop us from keeping our own dispatch,” Eckel said. “There are things we need to talk about.”
Trustee Gary Britten said in June if they had constructed the building five years ago, they’d be kicking themselves now knowing there are issues with the dispatch center.
“This is one of the reasons the price tag is a little high on this because we need to incorporate that as well as a bomb shelter,” he said at that time
The resolution passed, 2-0, with Trustee Joe Schaller abstaining.
Talks about a new building began on April 26, 2007.
The existing building at 26609 Lime City Road, where trustees meet and have offices, is aging and no longer suited to current needs. The structure, which is about 16,000 square feet, was built in 1962.
“This has been a long time in the making. It’s an exciting day for us to move forward on this,” said Trustee Bob Mack.
Construction will begin in the spring with completion in November.
Eckel said the existing building, including its offices, will be available to rent. There is no intent to tear it down.
“The worst thing it can do is sit vacant,” he said.
In other actions, trustees:
• Held a moment of silence for Troy Bernhard, a former township firefighter, who died Friday.
“Troy’s passing has been a tough thing for our department,” said fire Chief Tom Brice.
He provided visitation and service information for Bernhard, which will be held in Monclova.
• Learned owners of property at 28808 Starlight had been assessed $4,379.51, which included inspector and board of trustees fees, to clear their property.
In September, trustees declared the property a nuisance; notification included the existence of piles of brush on the front lawn and front porch, grass and weeds in excess of 8 inches, wild vines growing over the driveway and brush along the fire hydrant in the front yard. There were also three disabled vehicles on the driveway.
Green Edge Corporation charged $4,200 for its five employees to spend 4.5 hours clearing the property, including the removal of oil and transmission fluid cans, vehicle tires, rotting landscape timber, metal cans and pipes and car transmission parts.
Neighbors complained the back yard being in violation, but inspectors were preventing from seeing the yard due to a 6-foot fence.
Between Sept. 12, 2023, and Sept. 30, 2024, the township’s zoning department has opened or taken action on 163 complaints, said J.D. Justus, township zoning inspector.
There is a 94% closure rate, he said.
