(Seguin) – Contract negotiations have officially begun for the construction of Seguin High School’s new baseball and softball complex. Leading the pack of sealed bids was local contractor The Koehler Company. The Seguin ISD Board of Trustees on Tuesday approved the start of negotiations between the local company and Superintendent Dr. Matthew Gutierrez.
Providing insight into the process and bringing the recommendation of the Koehler Company to the school board was Perla Romero, the Seguin ISD director of business services. During her recommendation, Romero shared new developments in the voter approved price tag.
“This one is going to be a little different because as you all know, the bond for the softball/baseball field is for $7.5 million. However, due to the time that has passed and inflation, The Koehler Company which is the general contractor we are recommending came in at $9.6 million. With that being said, we are recommending that you authorize Dr. Gutierrez to negotiate and possibly execute a contract with The Koehler Company as a general contractor for this project,” said Romero.
Tony Hillberg, chief financial officer, says although the bid came in higher, the district remains optimistic that negotiations will work in the favor of both parties.
“The conversations that we are having at the administrative level right now is our architect and general contractor and Mr. (James) Pizana (director of facilities and maintenance) will work together line by line going through the details to find areas where we can get a product within the bond value with the understanding that we want the full scope but not necessarily upfront. Now whether we can do that or not, time will tell, and we will keep the board posted and so that’s why we are asking right now just for the opportunity to negotiate to see if we can come up with a product that will fit our needs within the available budget,” said Hillberg.
The two other companies participating in the bidding process included Hellas at $10.8 million and O’Haver coming in at $9.5 million. The overall selection was not only based on the price, but the overall score received by each company.
Those scores included Koehler Company 60; Hellas 51 and O’Haver 53.
The scoresheet rated price, overall experience, experience with Seguin ISD; last five projects, project team, safety, overall grasp of project and sub-contractors to be used.
Trustee Cinde Thomas-Jimenez says she was excited to hear that the Koehler Company had topped the list of bids. She says the company has always come through in meeting the needs of the district.
“I just want to say how happy I was to see their name on this half sheet. They saved us when we were building the high school. Ya’ll really did so I think it’s just fitting that the Koehler Company finishes out the footprint and thanks for the Koehler Company for always striving to improve the Seguin ISD. You are part of the Matador Family,” said Jimenez.
The project will return the baseball field to the high school campus. The team for several years has played at the city of Seguin’s Smokey Joe Field located at the Seguin Events Complex. The complex will also include a new softball field. The athletic complex will be located south of the campus off of East College Street.