https://www.facebook.com/councilmanedmccain/videos/1601007206632934/
By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN
The Athens City Council took a step forward on the Cain Center project Friday, according to City Councilman Ed McCain.
In a Facebook video posted Friday evening, McCain said the city gave Interim City Manager Gary Whittle authority to enter into an agreement with Gallagher Construction Company, LP, for Construction Management Services for the Cain Center project.
The action came at a special City Council meeting at the Development Services Center conference room 12:30 p.m. Friday.
The council discussed the contract during its regularly scheduled Monday meeting, but the action was delayed as the two sides negotiated Gallagher’s fee.
“The 6.7 moved to 6.5 percent, in effect saving us $14,000 and getting the project moving forward,” said McCain, who led the demand for a lower price on Monday. “That’s four days to save $14,000.”
“City Council is watching every dollar that we spend,” said McCain. “We’re trying as hard as we can to get this project completed so our citizens can begin using the Cain Center and enjoying it.”
The City announced it had entered into an agreement with the Board of the Cain Center to take over the facility in August 2016 and officially took control on Dec. 31, 2016. In December 2016, the City approved issuing certificates of obligation to raise about $12.1 million at an interest rate of 3.76 percent. About $10.5 million of that is slated for the Cain Center municipal building project.