The major renovation of Bainbridge City Hall is on the home stretch, and the project estimated to be completed in early summer, according to City Manager Chris Hobby.

The building’s interior is starting to take shape, as interior framing is about 95 percent complete and installation of drywall expected to follow close behind. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing rough-in is complete, with connection of fire sprinkler piping to follow. The east entrance to the new first-floor City Council chambers has been erected, along with stairs leading up to the chambers.

Upcoming work includes: completing the masonry and dry-in at the chamber entrance, starting prime painting, insulation of ceiling and attic spaces and completing the fire sprinkler piping.

The City Hall renovation project began on March 26, 2012, with the demolition of the building’s interior and removal of asbestos finishing a month later.

The original project completion date was July 29, 2013. However, work continues to be ahead of schedule, and the finish date should be in May or June, Hobby said.

The headquarters of the City of Bainbridge was formerly comprised of two buildings — the original marble building at the corner of Broughton and Broad streets, and an adjacent building to the north that houses the Community Development division offices. A third building, the dilapidated Kwilecki Building to the south, is being renovated and unified with the other two to provide more office and storage space.

Childers Construction of Tallahassee is the contractor for the renovation — its local partner is PDC Construction of Bainbridge.

 

Lake Douglas East sewer project behind schedule

While the City Hall renovation is ahead of schedule, another major City of Bainbridge project — the Lake Douglas East sewer project — has had delays, due to weather and other unforeseen factors.

The project was originally scheduled to be finished this past November or December, but been pushed back to an April or May completion, Hobby said.

Recent work has been focused around Ashton Way, Legette Drive, Lakewood Drive and Lake Douglas Road.

“We had hoped to pave Legette this week, but the base material, or underlying soil, was not good,” Hobby said. “The contractor will have to dig out the existing base and bring in new soil to fill it in so that we can proceed with paving.”

Hobby said he now estimates the paving of Legette Drive to happen in two to three weeks. Crews are continuing to install main line along Lakewood Drive. The cul-de-sac will be air-tested soon and the road will be prepared for paving.

Hobby said work on Ashton Way is making good progress, and city crews hope to pave it within the next four to six weeks.

Lake Douglas Road will be the last section of the project to be completed, possibly in April, he said.

 

River Walk project progressing

The City of Bainbridge has been working to fulfill the U.S. Corps of Engineers’ requirements for an environmental assessment related to the planned River Walk project.

The trail will start at Cheney Griffin Park, follow Hatcher Road into the Earle May Boat Basin and connect to the nature trails.

According to Hobby, an Atlanta firm recently came to Bainbridge to collect soil samples from the river bank for an archeological survey. City Engineer Jim York is finishing up a report outlining the archeological findings, which will be submitted with the final design plan for the project.

The Corps of Engineers will review the reports and give a final go-ahead for the project later this year, said Hobby, who added that he hopes project work can begin by fall.

Once completed, the River Walk could be used by people walking, running or using a non-motorized vehicle like a bicycle. Benches, light fixtures and fishing piers would be placed along the trail.