Constructing a new municipal garage in Hawkesbury is another step closer to happening.
On April 11, town council approved awarding the preliminary design contract for the new garage to EXP. Staff recommended negotiating directly with the firm instead of seeking tenders for the design of the garage because EXP already designed an identical garage to what Hawkesbury wants for The Nation Municipality in 2017.
“Since The Nation Municipality has already proceeded with a tender process for an identical concept, we are satisfied that a competitive purchasing process has already taken place and that we are obtaining the best possible price,” reads the report presented to council by Director of Public Works Jonathan Wilson and Treasurer Philippe Timbers.
According to the report, the Town requested a price for the design from EXP. The firm initially said it would cost $700,000 for the design plans. However, further negotiations reduced the price to $300,000, which is the same amount the town had allocated in its 2023 budget.
In October 2022, Hawkesbury council decided to build a new municipal garage to replace the current facility on Main Street East, which is more than 50 years old and in poor condition. The new garage on Harden Street behind the County Road 17 commercial area is projected to cost $7,245,000 and construction is anticipated to begin this year.
Overall, councillors were satisfied with direction taken by staff.
“I’m content we will save money using this approach,” said Councillor Antonios Tsourounakis.
Councillor Jeanne Charlebois commented there are companies based in Hawkesbury capable of constructing the new garage.
