The Salt Lake County Commission, in a 2-1 vote Monday, directed staff to pursue negotiations with low bidder Hughes-Hunt Construction for a no-frills Salt Palace Convention Center. Commissioners agreed to eliminate bids on a larger-version convention center.
The commissioners want to see if some costs in the no-frills bid can be scaled back, particularly on the steel infrastructure.Kevin C. Higgins, chairman of the committee overseeing the project, will bring the construction company's bid back to the commission for consideration.
Commissioner Brent Overson opposed moving forward without a review of why bids exceeded estimates and how the project will be financed.
Brad D. Dunkin of Marksville Corp. questioned accepting the low bid package on the center because it includes what he called an illegal bid from another steel fabricator.