By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

VANDIVER – Construction of the new Vandiver-Sterrett Senior Community Center will be underway shortly as construction bids were opened May 22 at 2 p.m.

“We had four bidders, and we are excited that a Shelby County-based contractor had the project bid at $353,438,” wrote Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock in a May 23 email.

Vincent-based Douglas Built, LLC made the lowest bid, and Dudchock wrote he plans to recommend the construction contract award to the County Commission on Tuesday, May 29.

The County Commission received a Community Development Block Grant to build the senior center.

“We are within the project budget and ready to start as soon as the contractor can mobilize,” he wrote. “The communities are very excited about the new senior center and the Vandiver Park location.

“Andy Burrell, our architect, did an excellent job with the construction specifications,” he added.