Troy Dothan site of new water tank

Lower-than-expected bids on a $2.5 million water project at Troy University Dothan will allow the city to install a larger capacity tank to meet the needs of a growing northwest Dothan.

The city recently bid the water project in two contracts: One to construct a 1.5 million gallon water tank and a second to install connecting water mains. While both contracts are expected to be approved by city commissioners on Tuesday, City Manager Mike West said Monday that the tank project will be pulled and most likely expanded to a greater capacity.

The city has been awarded $4.1 million in stimulus funds from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan program. Half of that amount is being forgiven. The remainder carries a 3.25 percent interest rate.

These and other projects have come in under budget expectations, West said, in large part because contractors are eager for work.

“We attribute it to the downturn in the economy,” he said. “These contractors want to keep their guys busy and have work.”

Four contractors bid on the tank portion of the project. None were from Dothan. Bids ranged from a low bid of $2.06 million to a high of $2.36 million. West is not sure if this portion will be rebid.

“It depends on the size.  If we go with two million gallons, it will have to be rebid. If we just add 250,000 gallons, we can do that with a change order. The engineers are looking at this now,” West said.

Ten bids were received on the water main part of the project, with three of those coming from Dothan firms. The low bidder was Mark Davis Construction of Semmes at $436,471. Bids went as high as $626,328.

Dothan Utilities Director Billy Mayes said the project is much needed.

“This is a fast-growing area that has experienced a lot of growth in the recent past,” Mayes said. “We have a current need to have the capacity to meet the demand during peak periods.”

Peak periods occur in the summer months, primarily in the morning hours when people are just getting up and when many water their lawns.

As part of the project, a road will also be constructed to provide a second entrance into the campus and a connector at Brannon Stand Road. Both the road and the water will assist with firefighting efforts.

The university donated two acres to the city for construction of the tank.

Even if the tank project is rebid, Mayes said it will be completed in good time. Dothan is one of less than 10 Alabama communities which received stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.