Putting aside protests by competing construction firms, Salt Lake County commissioners awarded a $70.6 million contract Wednesday for the renovation and expansion of the Salt Palace.
The commissioners formally awarded low bidder Hughes-Hunt Construction, a joint venture, the contract a week after officials formally broke ground for the expanded convention center. The bid exceeded the architect's estimate by a whopping $15 million. Combined with non-construction costs, the total bill for the new Salt Palace could exceed $85 million.Contractors and subcontractors protested the contract for a variety of reasons including Hughes-Hunt's alleged use of improperly licensed subcontractors in the bid. Based on a county attorney's office opinion, the commissioners rejected the protests.
Commissioners agreed to extend the term of the debt from 12 to 16 years to help finance the debt. The county also negotiated with Hughes-Hunt to trim some of the costs.