Bidding Set To Open On Overhaul Of Monroe Community Center

The bidding process set to begin on the total overhaul to the Monroe Community Center.

Overton County Executive Steven Barlow said the planning began about a year ago. Barlow said he had hoped to start accepting bids earlier this summer for construction. However, the architect selection process took longer than expected and that delayed the blueprints.

“But here we are coming up on election time and not even started the process,” Barlow said. “So hopefully we’ll be able to get started on it this fall and hopefully finish up by next spring, next summer being ramped to being done. The sooner the better is what I like to say. We’ve got a lot of people that’s been anticipating this for a while, and they’re eager to see it, and so am I. I’m excited about it.”

Barlow said the current building is “getting into the condemned stage,” unfit to serve as a community center or a voting precinct. During last year’s election, the precinct was moved to the Fire Hall because of the conditions.

“We felt like we needed a new community center and voting precinct,” Barlow said. “And right now it serves as a senior center and not open up to the public just for the seniors. And with building the new community center, it’ll be actually be able to rent it out to the community, which is better. It will serve the community as that as well.”

Upland Design Group will work with the county on the project which will be funded with COVID funds.

“We know their work, we’ve worked with them well before,” Barlow said.

County Commissioners approved opening the bid process Monday night.