By Bill Short
The Millington Board of Mayor and Aldermen has unanimously awarded a bid to construct a metal garage and storage building for the water and sewer systems.
Board members took the action during their Jan. 12 regular monthly meeting on a motion offered by Alderman Thomas McGhee and seconded by Alderman Al Bell.
A resolution states that the city issued and “publicly advertised” a Request for Proposals for construction of a 40-by-120-foot metal garage and storage building adjacent to the South Water Treatment Plant at 5041 Waycross Ave.
It notes that proposals were received on Jan. 6 from three “qualified” companies that each offered “comparable construction quality and pricing.”
The resolution states that, after a “thorough” evaluation of price, materials and contractor qualifications, it was determined that the bid of $258,300 submitted by A & B Construction Co. Inc. represents the “best value” to the city.
A & B is a Women’s Business Enterprise company based in Memphis.
Mayor Larry Dagen is authorized and directed to execute a contract with the company and any related documents necessary to complete the project.
During a telephone interview last week, City Manager Frankie Dakin said the building will house Millington’s “water distribution team,” which repairs broken water mains and water lines in the city.
He noted that the team currently operates out of the North Water Treatment Plant next to Baker Community Center.
Dakin said the “overall vision” is to close the north plant, which is “more expensive to run,” and move all operations to the south plant.
That will bring the entire Millington Water Department together on one site and return the north area to the community for “recreation purposes.”
Most of the north plant will be demolished, but the water tower will remain.
Dakin said that will allow an additional parking area to be constructed at Baker Center for Senior Dance Night and all the other events that are scheduled there.
“We plan to leave the building in the back where the water distribution team currently has its office,” he noted. “That’ll be our Parks and Recreation Workshop.”
Dakin hopes the new building will be “operational” before this summer.
He said city officials worked closely with the water distribution team regarding what it will need to be able to operate there and “continue to grow” with the community.
So, it will be an “improvement” over the current building and a “nicer office space.”
Citing the team’s “incredibly hard work” during the recent “severe” snow and ice storm, Dakin said it was “out on the streets” constantly.
He noted that it repaired three water main breaks “in-house” without any “prolonged outages” for residents.
“That shows the value of a good water treatment team,” Dakin concluded. “So, we’re trying to give them a really great office space to use for years to come.”
