Remodel Pre-Bid Meeting Set

"We would really love to work with a local community contractor (on phase two of our remodel project)," said Adam Nagle, director of The Factory Ministries located in the Together Community Center, 3293 Lincoln Highway East, Paradise.

Phase one, which included modifications to the gymnatorium of the former Paradise Elementary School, was completed in early 2022. Now, a pre-bid meeting for contractors interested in bidding on phase two has been set for Thursday, Jan. 5, at 2 p.m. at The Factory. Phase two will include addressing the need for Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant bathrooms, repositioning the stairs that lead from the entry to the loft, and raising the ceiling height in the kitchen.

Phases two and three of the project will be funded by separate Redevelopment Authority Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). Nagle explained that the winning contractor will need to comply with prevailing wage requirements and be familiar with paperwork and regulations included with that qualification. Depending on the bid received, alternate items the contractor might bid on include a separate ADA-compliant bathroom and a chairlift to make the gymnatorium stage more accessible. Bids must be received by Thursday, Jan. 26, with work completed by May of 2023.

According to Nagle, phase three will focus on the front entryway of the 1927 building, which features white columns associated with schools constructed in that time period. Although the building has been recognized for its historical significance, it has false windows in the front. "(Phase three) will clean up the front entry to make it accessible and safe," said Nagle, who added that a bricked-in archway on the east side of the building will be reopened to create an ADA-accessible entrance. Nagle said that there is an identical bricked-in entrance on the west side and that he has been told originally one entrance was for boys and the other was for girls.

After working with CityScapes Commercial Roofing of New Holland on a previous contract, Nagle said the organization is hoping to work once again with an area contractor. "We had a phenomenal relationship with CityScapes," reported Nagle. "We were able to do some cool things with CityScapes because they captured the heart of our mission and what we're about."

Contractors who would like to know more about the bid process may call 717-687-9594. Readers who would like to know more about The Factory may visit http://www.thefactoryministries.com or search for "The Factory Ministries" on Facebook.