Dane County to Take Second Set of Bids for Construction of New Badger Prairie Health Center

August 18, 2008
Joshua Wescott, Office of the County Executive (608) 267-8823 or cell (608) 669-5606
County Executive

Minor Modifications Made to Keep Important Project on Time, on Budget Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk announced today the county will issue a second request for bids for contractors interested in building the county's new Badger Prairie Health Care Center in Verona. Dane County received the first round of bids for the project earlier this summer. Six general contractors submitted bids that due to higher costs for construction materials and fuel exceeded what had been budgeted for the project. Since then the county has worked with an architectural and engineering design firm to make some minor adjustments to the project to help it come in at its projected budget. The county will open up the bidding process a second time in early September for the nearly $21-million project. "We are committed to building a state of the art facility to ensure our citizens with the greatest need continue to receive the care they deserve," County Executive Kathleen Falk said. "With just a few minor modifications, we can build a new Badger Prairie Health Care Center that offers top notch health services at a cost that's fair to Dane County taxpayers." Among some of the steps taken to help lower the total cost of construction, brick veneer won't be installed on the outside of the center and different furnishings will be placed in the rooms. The Badger Prairie Health Care Center is located in Verona and provides health and long term care for Dane County's older adults and adults with disabilities. The skilled nursing facility provides specialized services and treatment to adults with behavioral, emotional, or psychiatric disorders that make it difficult for them to live on their own. After thorough study the county decided in 2006 to build the new center just north of the current one in Verona. The first sections of the Badger Prairie Health Care Center were constructed back in the late 1800s and additional wings were added through the 1960s. # # #