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The second phase of Sierra College’s expansion could start by mid-July, according to the two Grass Valley contractors who are in line to lead the $13 million worth of construction at the Grass Valley campus.
In April, Tru Line Builders and Sierra Foothills Construction joined with Clark & Sullivan of Sacramento for the right to bid and negotiate the project.
Tru Line’s Tim Brady said Tuesday the consortium would have no problem meeting the college’s $13 million maximum budget. His firm is handling about $10 million in new buildings and Sierra Foothills is doing $3 million in renovations, according to that company’s owner Keoni Allen.
Clark & Sullivan has expertise in school construction and will manage both sides of the project.
Bids from subcontractors are due Friday, and Brady said he, Allen and a representative from Clark & Sullivan would interview the bidders and review their numbers prior to presenting a final package to the college board July 7.
The only hang-up for local bidders is an arrangement with Clark & Sullivan to use union carpenters only, as the firm does on all its jobs, Allen said. There are not many union carpenters in Nevada County, he added.
“All of the other trades are available to us,” without any union worker demands, Allen said. “A lot of local guys have bid and they were extremely competitive.”
“Predominantly, all the bid requests were local,” Brady said. “There’s a terrific chance of locals getting work — we’re just really excited.”
Brady said bringing in union carpenters represents no more than 10 percent of his workload and Allen said it was 10 to 15 percent of his.
That means, at the most, the carpenters will account for about $1.45 million out of the $13 million job.
The consortium came together when Nevada County contractors saw the initial $20 million contract for Phase 1 of the college’s expansion go to out-of-town contractors who hired few local subcontractors.
That local effort was backed by Nevada County Contractors Association Executive Director Barbara Bashall, who worked behind the scenes to open up the bidding process for Phase 2 with college officials.
College trustees Aaron Klein and Nancy Palmer were also instrumental in encouraging more work for local builders.
Once the project is completed through local contractors, Brady said he hopes it sends a message to other school districts to shop locally for construction needs.
“We’re going to break that mystique with this project,” Brady said.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
In April, Tru Line Builders and Sierra Foothills Construction joined with Clark & Sullivan of Sacramento for the right to bid and negotiate the project.
Tru Line’s Tim Brady said Tuesday the consortium would have no problem meeting the college’s $13 million maximum budget. His firm is handling about $10 million in new buildings and Sierra Foothills is doing $3 million in renovations, according to that company’s owner Keoni Allen.
Clark & Sullivan has expertise in school construction and will manage both sides of the project.
Bids from subcontractors are due Friday, and Brady said he, Allen and a representative from Clark & Sullivan would interview the bidders and review their numbers prior to presenting a final package to the college board July 7.
The only hang-up for local bidders is an arrangement with Clark & Sullivan to use union carpenters only, as the firm does on all its jobs, Allen said. There are not many union carpenters in Nevada County, he added.
“All of the other trades are available to us,” without any union worker demands, Allen said. “A lot of local guys have bid and they were extremely competitive.”
“Predominantly, all the bid requests were local,” Brady said. “There’s a terrific chance of locals getting work — we’re just really excited.”
Brady said bringing in union carpenters represents no more than 10 percent of his workload and Allen said it was 10 to 15 percent of his.
That means, at the most, the carpenters will account for about $1.45 million out of the $13 million job.
The consortium came together when Nevada County contractors saw the initial $20 million contract for Phase 1 of the college’s expansion go to out-of-town contractors who hired few local subcontractors.
That local effort was backed by Nevada County Contractors Association Executive Director Barbara Bashall, who worked behind the scenes to open up the bidding process for Phase 2 with college officials.
College trustees Aaron Klein and Nancy Palmer were also instrumental in encouraging more work for local builders.
Once the project is completed through local contractors, Brady said he hopes it sends a message to other school districts to shop locally for construction needs.
“We’re going to break that mystique with this project,” Brady said.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
