Eagle Point to put out bids for town hall upgrade

Published: January 13, 2011
Tags: BidBlog, blog, Eagle Point, Knoedler, town hall

By Ann Knoedler

• Town Hall Window Replacement Project, Eagle Point • Town Hall Wall Insulation Project, Eagle Point • Remodel Town Hall, Eagle Point

One of the things I like about being a construction bidding reporter is that the map of Wisconsin is continually revealing itself to me. That is to say the many towns, villages, cities and counties that make up the state. As much as I like to travel around Wisconsin I couldn’t possibly discover the many locations I’ve reported on without the help of the bid advertisements that cross my desk.

Today, the pin in my map lands on Eagle Point Township in Chippewa County.

They have a beautiful town hall. I like the look of it; it strikes me as unique and well constructed. A news article from The Chippewa Herald describes an unused upper level (because it’s not handicap accessible) with a rounded ceiling, wooden arches and a beautiful wood floor.

You can tell it wasn’t just thrown together.

Thank goodness the Eagle Point residents and elected officials realize what they have and are taking bold steps to preserve it. I say bold, because plenty of communities would shrink from borrowing and spending money in our current economic climate to upgrade an old town hall.

WATCH A VIDEO ON EAGLE POINT’S TOWN HALL

The 71-year old building was constructed in 1938-39 during tougher economic times (the Great Depression) with financial assistance from the Work Projects Administration program. The current town board is receiving some assistance from the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant Program for the insulation and window portions of the work.

On Jan. 25, the town will receive bids for three projects to upgrade its town hall building.

Tschopp-Durch-Camastral Co. Inc., Chippewa Falls, is providing construction management services for all the work. Ayres Associates Inc., Eau Claire, designed the larger handicap accessible and remodeling project.

If you’re a contractor interested in bidding the project then save this date: A prebid meeting has been scheduled for Monday and attendance is mandatory.

I like to celebrate the smaller, out-of-the-way communities in Wisconsin. I now can say I’ve heard of Eagle Point Township and that they have an awesome town hall facility.

Ann Knoedler is the lead data reporter at The Daily Reporter. She can be reached at (414) 225-1822.