JHA examines low bid for Prospect Homes construction

Dave Sutor, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
·2 min read

Dec. 13—JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — The Johnstown Housing Authority is still evaluating the low bidder's proposal for general construction, kitchen and bathroom work on the Prospect Homes units that were vacated earlier this year due to structural concerns.

The bid from Leonard S. Fiore Inc., of Blair County, came in with costs of $2,818,000 for structural work, $524,000 for kitchens and $338,000 for bathrooms when bids were opened last week. A final determination and likely contract signing are expected soon.

"We're working through those (bids) right now," JHA Solicitor Tim Leventry said during an authority meeting on Tuesday. "It does appear that the bids are coming in in such a way that it's within budget to do that work."

In March, the housing complex's approximately 220 residents were required to leave their homes after at least one ceiling fell and an inspection determined that all of the ceilings in the 110 units were "most likely destined for collapse." Other studies were conducted on the land and the structures at the complex, located in Johnstown's Prospect neighborhood.

The JHA eventually settled on a plan to repair ceilings, roofs, footers and floors while also updating the bathrooms and kitchens.

"We acted as fast as we could to close it after we heard somebody got hurt" when the ceiling in a unit fell, JHA Chairman Charles Arnone said. "... It took several months for the ground to be studied because we wanted to make sure it was stabilized, and then the inspections started."

Arnone added: "We are now taking major steps to renovate Prospect. It took that long to figure out what all the wrongs were. When it's done, (former residents) get the first chance to move in if they want."

The authority received a second bid for the work, with LMJ Contractors Inc., of Bedford County, proposing $3,878,000 for structural repairs, $864,000 for kitchens and $485,000 for bathrooms.

JHA also advertised electric and plumbing projects, but only received one response apiece for them.

"We're going to be advertising again for those bids," said Mike Alberts, the authority's executive director. "If they only come back in as one each a second time, then we can open them and, depending on the amounts, we may have to get some (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) approval. But we're not expecting any problem with that process."