Moorestown is one step closer to having a new town hall after making a final decision on construction bids.
Council unanimously awarded a $11.1 million contract to Pennsauken-based Sambe Construction Company Inc. on Thursday, Nov. 1. The awarded contract was $1.6 million under the anticipated project cost, township manager Scott Carew said.
Project executive with Greyhawk, Rob Notley, said 28 bids were received last week. Out of the 28, four of the lowest qualified bidders were chosen.
“Greyhawk Construction is the township’s agent that will be on the job day in and day out,” Carew said.
Vineland-based Arthur J. Ogren, Inc. withdrew its bid making Sambe Co. the second to lowest bidder.
Sambe Co. worked on projects around Moorestown in the past.
According to Notley, in 2005 Sambe Co. worked on the $14.5 million phase two construction of the Moorestown High School additions.
But Sambe’s reputation on a build in Egg Harbour Township had Brian Sattinger concerned.
Sattinger said he enter Sambe’s name into a search engine. The first item appearing on the list was an article in the Press of Atlantic City calling it the “project from hell,” Sattinger said.
According the article, Sambe was over budget and past deadlines, but CEO of Sambe Co. said the “project was designed very poorly” and “a lot of mistakes” were presented in the project’s design.
Notley reassured Sattinger, as well as members on the council, Greyhawk has no concerns with Sambe Co.
He said the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (NJSDA) — a state regulated agency that oversees construction projects of schools throughout New Jersey — oversaw the Egg Harbor project.
Since the project is all new construction, the build will not be as complicated as construction on a currently standing structure, Notley said.
According to Notley, the project is set to begin in 30 to 45 days.
