Poplar Bluff Schools received three bids for the construction of a new culinary arts facility on Tuesday.
The board approved plans to build the facility on the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center campus in February of last year. TCC runs programs to train students in all aspects of restaurant work and prepare them to be immediately employable after graduation. It currently operates out of the Mules Cafe adjoining the district administration office, about 3.5 miles from TCC.
Rick Shipman Construction of Dexter, Zoellner Construction of Perryville and C.E. Norton Construction and Plumbing of Poplar Bluff all submitted base bids. They were:
• Rick Shipman Construction: $1,416,348.
• Zoellner Construction: $1,437,126.
• C.E. Norton Construction and Plumbing: 1,485,000.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Amy Jackson said a block grant will help fund the work. She expects construction to move fast after a bid is approved.
“This was the last part of the process before we could start moving forward with construction,” Jackson said.
She added there may be some delays while school is in session at TCC and the adjoining Poplar Bluff High School. The Poplar Bluff R-I School Board is expected to approve the winning bid at their March meeting.