Plans to renovate the former recreation administration building in Peachtree City to make additional room for senior leisure programs were approved by the City Council Thursday night.
The building, located off McIntosh Trail in the Shakerag recreation complex that includes the Gathering Place, has been vacant since the recreation department last year was reorganized and moved to offices at the Kedron Fieldhouse and Aquatic Center.
Although the low bidder came in under the budget of $462,000, Community Services Director Jon Rorie asked council to keep the full budget intact, leaving $98,000 on hand in case any unforeseen problems crop up once the renovation begins, Rorie said.
If some of that money is left over, the city can look at spending $46,000 to add a front entrance driveway, enhanced handicapped parking, a new exterior awning and exterior painting.
It will also cost the city an additional $15,000 to add more parking to the site, which will be handled by city staff in-house to save money, Rorie said.
The renovations are being funded with money borrowed using the $3 million public facilities authority bond that was approved by council last year.
A big part of the cost is due to reinforcements needed for the flooring system because the building is moving from an office use to an assembly use, city officials have said previously.
The motion to approve the $363,625 low bid on the project was approved unanimously.
