St. Joseph Board awards Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion project to Schomburg & Schomburg
The Village of St. Joseph Board of Trustees approved the $15,857,606.42 price tag associated with the Wastewater Treatment Plant Capacity Expansion project on July 11.
Following a comprehensive evaluation of the bids received, Schomburg & Schomburg Construction Company, Inc. emerged as the low, responsive bidder, at 19,386,138.83.
In Feb., the Board eyed $12 to $14 million for the project, stating that they would trim down the scope if the total reached over $12 million.
The bid prices for the project were notably higher than anticipated, attributing the discrepancy to various factors such as increased material costs, contractor staffing requirements, site constraints, and the need to ensure the continuous operation of the existing treatment plant during construction.
To address the budgetary challenges posed by the higher bid prices, the Village collaborated with Clark Dietz, the project engineer, and Schomburg & Schomburg to explore cost-saving alternatives. Key modifications proposed include adjustments to building layouts, paving materials, electrical equipment, and site improvements. These discussions resulted in recommended design alterations, allowing for a $3,528,532.41 reduction in the overall project cost.
The bid amount approved is $19,386,138.83, pending approval from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). Approval from the IEPA is a prerequisite for commencing construction.
To finance the project, the Village has secured a loan through the IEPA State Revolving Fund (SRF) program. The loan amount totals $14,517,400, with 15% principal forgiveness. Analysis of the sewer fund financial model indicates that the Village can support the loan payments without necessitating additional funds from residents.
The Village eyed the project at the beginning of 2023, hoping that a major sewer expansion project would address critical capacity issues and facilitate future growth north of St. Joseph.
Currently, St. Joseph’s sewer plant is operating at around 90 percent of its peak capacity on a normal day, and during heavy rain events, there is a risk of exceeding the capacity.
Construction is expected to commence during the summer of 2023.
