The Atlantic City Council Wednesday tabled until November 7th, a Resolution approving the plans and specifications for the Sunnyside Tennis Court reconstruction project, due to a lack of bids. Snyder and Associates Engineer Dave Sturm told the Council contractors are extremely busy right now, they practically had to beg for an active bids. Sturm said they ended up taking just one bid, but it was more than  $40,000 over what was budgeted for. The bid from Dostal’s Construction out of Gretna, NE, was for $267,000. The Engineer’s original cost estimate was $241,000.The project would have been paid for through bond proceeds, grants and with payments from the Atlantic Community School District.

Sturm said after discussing the situation with Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring and the Parks and Rec Board, it was decided to reject the bid and request bids for the project again in February 2013. Sturm said the problem with receiving bids came down to a matter of timing. The contractors who would normally bid for projects have a full slate already, therefore there was a lack of interest. He said there are at least two or three contractors, including Dostal’s, who would be interested in submitting bids, once there’s a lull in the construction season.

Sturm said also, that the best bids typically come in during the months of January and February. Councilman Steve Livengood made a motion to table a Resolution approving the plans and specifications for the Sunnyside Tennis Courts project until November. The motion was seconded by Councilman Chris Jimerson. Dave Sturm said officials with the  United States Tennis Association (USTA) have indicated the delay in approving bids and specifications would not jeopardize the City’s likelihood of getting a grant to help pay for the project.