Bids on bathroom renovations much higher than the budget

Franklin County Commissioners have a case of sticker shock after opening bids last week for a county project to renovate the restrooms at Carrabelle Beach and at the St. George Island public beach.

County Commissioners received bids from three companies interested in doing the work.

The county had expected the bids to come in at about 180 thousand dollars for both restrooms.

Instead the bids ranged from 270 thousand dollars to over 330 thousand dollars.

The county doesn’t have that kind of money for the project; the renovations are being funded with about 150 thousand dollars raised through the local bed tax.

The county has not yet accepted or rejected the bids.

They are going to allow the architect of the project take a look at the bids first to see why the cost is so high.

The commission will revisit the issue at their first meeting in October.

Both restrooms are in need of renovation; the restrooms at Carrabelle Beach are in the worst shape.

The bathrooms at the roadside park at Carrabelle beach were built in the 1950’s and age and seawater are taking their toll.

The restrooms need new roofs as well as a new electrical panel and lighting system.

The restrooms at the St. George Island public beach are much newer but are still in need of a little renovation.

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