GRANITE FALLS – Yellow Medicine County Commissioner Gary Johnson says it’s time to take action in the demolition of the old Clarkfield school building.

The county board on Tuesday approved a recommendation from a task force pending the city of Clarkfield also approves the proposal.

“The task force has gone as far as it can go without taking action toward demolishing it,” Johnson said during the commission’s Tuesday meeting. He shared two proposals that had been presented to the task force.

“On July 9, an RFP (request for proposal) was issued for professional consultant service regarding the demolition of the school structure,” the task force’s written recommendation said. “On July 27, the task force opened the two proposals that were received.”

Contegrity Group Inc. had proposed a $39,900 fee for demolition and Widseth Smith Nolting put in for $79,840, the task force said.

“Upon review of both proposals it is our recommendation to continue moving through the process of requesting demolition bids using Contegrity Group,” the written recommendation said.

Besides the difference in pricing, the task force said Contegrity is familiar with the county’s expectations and local area because of its work on the county’s courthouse and Justice Center project. The task force reported that the company assisted the county with a low-cost courthouse demolition.

“It is important to look to develop definitive numbers for the demolition so that the city of Clarkfield can secure grant and loan funding for their portion of the cost of the project,” the task force wrote. In projecting a timeline, the city was looking to have approximately six months to secure additional funding. What they are looking to apply for requires that no expenses be incurred prior to the application and award.”

The task force proposed a timeline with Contegrity Group. In September, the county and city will give approval to obtain a contract with Contegrity. In October-December, a contract would be finalized with Contegrity Group and have them start documenting the project and permitting needed.

Bids would be solicited in January-March, the demolition process would start in September 2019 and April 2020 would be the demolition completion deadline.

Additionally, another contractor is in the process of boarding up the windows as approved by the county board.