Dexter council accepts bids

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, January 22, 2003

DEXTER -- The Dexter City Council has accepted bids for construction of a new lift station and water tower.

Both improvements are needed for the McNeilus Companies of Dodge Center, Inc. project.

By twin 4-0 decisions Monday night, the Dexter City Council accepted the low bid of Caldwell Tank, Inc., a Kentucky firm, to construct a new water tower. The firm's low bid was $342,000 and below the city engineer's estimate for the project, according to Natalie Shawback, Dexter city clerk.

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Also, the Dexter City Council accepted the low bid of Fraiser Construction Inc. of Rochester in the amount of $72,000, according to Shawback.

The Rochester firm's low bid also was below the city engineer's estimate.

The lift station must be completed by July 1 and the water tower project must be completed by Oct. 31, according to bid specifications.

The city of Dexter is bonding $200,000 to cover a portion of the municipal improvements.

McNeilus Companies of Dodge Center, Inc. is constructing a new facility in a Tax Increment Financing District near the Mill Inn Motel and Lounge at the intersection of Interstate 90 and Minnesota Highway 16 near Dexter.

The Development Corporation of Austin is working with the Dodge Center firm as well as the city of Dexter and Mower County. The Dodge Center firm plans to employ between 12 and 40 workers when the new facility is open.

Plans call for the facility to become either a distribution center for the Dodge Center firm or a manufacturing facility.

The county's business subsidy is $2.4 million for construction of the 52,500 square-foot building.

Access roads and the building's foundation are in place at this time.

Lee Bonorden can be reached at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com