(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening accepted the lone bid received for the Hiawatha fitness and school trail project.
   
On the recommendation of project engineer Brian Kingsley, the Commission voted 3-2 to award the construction contract to Kansas City-based Amino Brothers Company in the amount of $915,278, contingent upon the approval of the Kansas Department of Transportation.   Commissioners Toni Hull and Bill Collins voted against the motion.  
   
The lone bid was opened last Thursday.  Kingsley said a lot of other contractors that had express an interest in the project didn’t bid because they were too busy to be able to get the project done in the time frame specified.   He said the bid was a little higher than he would have like to have seen, but was still about $10,000 under the engineer’s estimate.   Kingsley told Commissioners he couldn’t guarantee prices would be that much lower if the project were pushed back to next year and re-bid.
   
KDOT will fund 80 percent of the construction cost.  The city’s share of the project, with construction observation included, will be about $208,000.
   
The concrete trail will connect key elements in the eastern portion of the city.  The trail is to start near the Little Hands Daycare Center, proceed north past the Fisher Center, and loop around the middle and high schools.
   
Kingsley said plans are to start construction on the school property first, so it can be completed before school starts, and then move on to the rest.   The entire project is scheduled for completion in early October, weather permitting.