ATWATER -- Bids are being sought for a general contractor to oversee the renovation of the Hotel Atwater.
The City Council this week agreed to open bids Nov. 17.
The project, estimated at $702,000, includes revamping the gutted historic building to house the city offices, library and police department.
Action on awarding the project to a contractor will depend on how competitive the bids are. The council is taking the project "one step at a time," said City Clerk Goldie Smith.
The city has already spent $42,000 on tuckpointing the exterior brick of the building. The city has also paid Engan Associates Architects of Willmar $40,000 for its services.
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Atwater has received three grants from the Minnesota Historical Society totally $191,000. The council was notified last month, however, it was denied a $100,000 Rural Development grant.
In other action, the council directed Bolton & Menk Engineering to do a feasibility study on replacing water, sewer and bituminous on Atlantic Avenue West, Third Street North and Fourth Street North.
Because part of the designated improvement area includes Kandiyohi County Road 57, the county will be participating financially with the city for the bituminous.
The council was also informed the Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City School District is interested in renting the Kingery Baseball Field for the school program, and they approved a game license for a local restaurant, the Phat Pheasant, to operate pool tables, darts and other coin-operated games.
