Point Builders of Cedar Falls was the low bidder for the Benton County Nature Center project.

Although the low bid was approximately $20,000 less than the only competing bid, it was higher then county leaders had hoped.

Conservation Board members agreed Wednesday evening to accept the bid from Point Builders, along with alternatives 2  and 3 (the front entrance and security system). But the board decided not to include a parking area in its contract with Point Builders, believing that county personnel could do that work much cheaper.

The total cost of the project is $215,803. Work should begin within the next few weeks.

Architect Mike Warden told the Conservation Board that the contractors will want to begin soon because there is much concrete work to do before cold weather and snow arrive.

Conservation leaders were hoping that there would be enough money after construction to purchase displays. But the bid as accepted would require that most of the funding set aside for the project be used for construction.

The purchase of the house was $270,000. Just under $200,000 of that came from REAP funds the Conservation Department  had been saving, was well as funds from the Kirkland Estate which were earmarked specifically for a nature center.

The Conservation Department has been authorized to borrow $330,000 from the Donovan Trust. Seventy thousand of that went toward purchasing the house, leaving $260,000. Well, septic and other related expenses are estimated to cost $35,000, leaving $225,000 of spending authority. With the bid at $215,803, that leaves about $10,000 for contingency and other building expenses.

The Conservation Foundation is also preparing a fund drive to help pay for the project and displays.