WAYNESBURG – The Greene County commissioners have awarded a contract for the final phase of the airport business development construction project.
The county opened seven bids April 18 for the new parking lot near the building and a road leading to the hangars. They awarded the contract Thursday to the lowest bidder, Morgan Excavating of Belle Vernon, for $570,947.
Greene County Chief Clerk Jeff Marshall said Morgan Excavating is the company that is currently building the business access road to the left of the building. He said the entire project is expected to be finished by fall.
Earlier portions of the project have included construction of a new entrance to the airport, a new four-way intersection at Route 21 and Murtha Drive, construction of a new airplane hangar and demolition of four old hangars on property that will be leased for commercial development.
The county had a contract with Burns & Scalo Real Estate to try to bring development to open lots around the airport building that will be available after construction, but the commissioners terminated that contract Thursday.
Marshall said it was a mutual decision between the county and Burns & Scalo, because the company did not bring in any development possibilities. He said no money was exchanged, so it did not cost the county.
Marshall and Commissioner Blair Zimmerman said they would like to see a couple of sit-down restaurants open there.
In other action Thursday, the commissioners awarded contracts for two other projects they hope to have completed by August.
The first contract, which includes adding a handicap-accessible bathroom to Building 8 at the fairgrounds, was awarded to Swede Construction for $13,300 and Gumpher Inc. for $12,850.
The other contract, for adding a rear door to the magisterial office of District Judge Glenn Bates at Greene County Airport, was awarded to Swede Construction for $18,645.
The commissioners also approved a proposal for professional services from EADS Architects Inc. for miscellaneous restoration projects in Greene County Courthouse for $19,800.