http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-902044.mp3
Macomb, IL – Progress on McDonough County Public Transportation's new vehicle maintenance center has stalled... again.
Transit director Gary Ziegler says the bid process for the first phase of the project on East Pierce Street in Macomb is about two months behind schedule. He blames new bid regulations.
Ziegler says all plans for projects using this pot of federal money must have "DBE" goals. That means Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, such as those that are struggling, or owned by minorities or women, must get a certain percentage of the work.
Ziegler says MCPT had developed those goals locally, but those can't be used. He says due to the use of federal funds, the Illinois Department of Transportation must determine how much work should be given to DBE's.
He says the vehicle maintenance center is the first project to use this pot of money, which is slowing down the process.
"We're kind of a guinea pig for this," says Ziegler. "What they're trying to do is figure out their process for getting the goal established. Once that happens and they give us a goal, we can assert that in our bid document and get a bid."
Ziegler says phase one of the vehicle maintenance center project should cost about $4 million. That will cover the cost of renovating the building, which will include "six or seven" maintenance bays. It will also allow MCPT to purchase necessary maintenance equipment.