The Great Bend City Council Monday night approved bids to remove the asbestos from the city-owned, 70-year-old Crest Theater and for the installation of a new HVAC system in the historic downtown venue, renovations that total nearly $600,000.
“I know it sounds like a lot of money,” Councilman Dana Dawson said. “But, we do not want to let anything happen to that building.”
First, OKed was a bid from ACM Removal Kansas LLC. for $16,820 for asbestos removal. Prior to construction of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning improvements, asbestos must be removed in areas affected by the project, said Building Inspector Lee Schneider, and ACM submitted the low bid.
Fortunately, Schneider said, the amount of asbestos is limited. There is some around pipes in the basement and the in the tunnel the pipes follow up to the mezzanine.
Next, the council approved the bid from Glassman Corporation of Hays for $572,700 to handle the HVAC improvements in the theater.
A bid opening for the Crest Theatre HVAC Improvements was held on March 15. The city received three bids, with the low, qualified bidder being Glassman.
There are four alternates, Schneider said. Alternates one, two, and four subtracted from the cost of the base bid of $593,000. Alternate three would add to it.
These were:
Alternate one: Elimination of outside air duct, subtracting $3,500. The proposed air duct is required by code unless City Code Enforcement issued an interpretation of the code that allowed the work to continue without it. Staff recommended approval.
Alternate two: Create new opening to basement for equipment, subtracting $800. This will allow the contractor to create new access to the basement for equipment in lieu of using existing ductwork for access. It will make construction easier and improve access for future needs. Staff recommended approval.
Alternate three: Replace tunnel water line, adding $3,000. As the contractor will already be onsite working, the city requested a price on replacing an old tunnel water line. Staff recommended approval.
Alternate four: Eliminate duct cleaning, subtracting $19,000. The plans call for the contractor to clean the existing ductwork. Based on visual assessment of the system, staff felt cleaning is not necessary and recommended approval.
Staff recommended to award the project to Glassman Corporation for the base bid and all the alternates, bringing the total to $572,700.
As for the timeline for the project, that remains undetermined, City Administrator Kendal Francis said
An ongoing effort
Francis said the city has $350,000 set aside for theater renovations. The Great Bend Community Theater Board, which has an agreement to operate the facility for the city, has indicated it is willing to make up the difference and has made steps in that direction.
In addition, the city will learn on May 4 the fate of a Heritage Trust Fund grant through the Kansas State Historical Society. With a maximum grant amount possible of $95,000, it would provide an 80-20 match. If this works out, the city already has the 20 percent matching funds, Francis said.
The has also applied for state tax credits that could with the effort.
In the meantime, Councilman Dan Heath, who also sits on the theater board, said they have discussed ways to increase the theater’s usage. They are looking at bringing in more concerts and other events.
So far, by piecing together donations and grants, the GBCT group has replaced the seats, lighting and carpeting, and remodeled the bathrooms. In addition, there is new equipment to aid the hearing impaired, a new screen and a repainted stage.
They are also eying electronic ticketing, Heath said.
Commonwealth Theaters deeded the Crest to the city, but it sits on leased ground. The lease, which expires in 2046, calls for a $200-per-year city payment.
