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Construction to start soon on Midtown Job Corps Center

Four companies have submitted bids on the project.

By CRISTINA SILVA, Times Staff Writer
Published November 14, 2007

ST. PETRSBURG - Plans to build a Job Corps Center in Midtown rolled forward this week, as federal Department of Labor officials reviewed potential bidders for the 166,000-square-foot construction project.

Earlier this month, four construction companies submitted bids to build the 18-acre site that city officials hope will breathe new economic life into Midtown.

Hummell Construction, a company based in Ohio, submitted the low bid at $26.8-million.

Federal officials declined to comment Tuesday on the estimated final cost of the project.

The Department of Labor has 30 days to select a bidder and move forward with the project, said Paul Stellrecht, the city's Economic Development Specialist for Midtown.

The nine-building campus will support 300 students and staff members and include two dormitories, a cafeteria, a gymnasium and academic buildings.

Job Corps is a federal program that helps people ages 16 through 24 learn a trade, earn a high school diploma or GED and enter the work force. The federally funded program started in 1964 and has educated more than 2-million students. In Florida, there are sites in Miami, Homestead, Gainesville and Jacksonville.

Construction on the new training center in St. Petersburg, located at the southeast corner of Fifth Avenue S and 22nd Street, is expected to begin shortly and is projected to be completed by the end of 2008.

Cristina Silva can be reached at 727 893-8846 or csilva@gmail.com.

[Last modified November 13, 2007, 22:41:04]