Fostoria Focus
November 12, 2003

Contractor Selected for Veterans Memorial Chapel
By Leonard Skonecki

The contractor who submitted the low bid for the Veterans Memorial Chapel is the Stuber-Obringer Construction Co. of New Washington.

On October 23, the Veterans Chapel Committee and Fostoria city officials opened five bids on the project. In addition to Stuber-Obringer, Whitta Construction, Clouse Construction, Feick Contractors and Alvada Construction bid on the chapel.

On November 6, the committee, including Mayor John Davoli, Safety Service Director Ralph Wise and Cemetery Supervisor John Potteiger, met with the Fostoria City Engineer Dan Thornton who explained the bids. Stuber-Obringer's base bid was $187,000, the lowest by $6,000.

The specifications that were bid out included two alternates. The committee voted to adopt both.

The first alternate calls for a stamped color concrete floor instead of vinyl floor. The second uses cultured stone interior walls instead of painted gypsum.

Stuber-Obringer's bid with the two alternates was $206,100, the lowest by $12,500.

The committee had hoped to have the project done locally. Whitta Construction of Fostoria was the second lowest bidder.

However, the committee had no choice.

By Ohio law, projects involving public money are governed by the competitive bidding process and must be awarded to the contractor with the lowest bid that meets the specifications of the project.

Once Stuber-Obringer has been officially notified, there will be a pre-construction meeting to iron out details. The chapel's completion date is April 15.

In other chapel news, Davoli also announced that Linda Radcliff of R&L Stained Glass will make the stained glass window in the wall of the chapel facing Van Buren Street.

The window will cost $7,900 and consist of 10 stained glass panels encased in laminate glass.

There will be a competition to determine the design of the window. For more information on the chapel or to make a donation or purchase a memorial paver, call 419-435-8282.