A general obligation bonding maximum of $1,350,000 has been approved by the Gunnison Special Service District for financing expansion and a new addition to the Gunnison Valley Hospital.
The bonds will carry a 2.5 percent interest rate, payable in annual installments over 20 years.Valley Builders of Gunnison submitted the bid of $2,020,000 among five bidders. Only $8,537 separated the Valley Builders bid from that submitted by Cal Wadsworth Construction.
Jon Erdmann of the architectural firm of Jensen, Haslem, Campbell and Hardcastle, said bids were higher than the initial estimate of $1.8 million but lower than a revised estimate of $2.5 million.
The project is expected to cost about $100,000 more than the base bid, however. This will pay for such items as an intercom system and cabinet and mill work.
Meanwhile, construction has started with excavation and laying of the foundation for the addition. A Valley Builders spokesman said the project is expected to be completed in January.