Phase One of Cannery Preservation to Begin Soon

Renovations to part of the historic Lavonia Cannery will proceed as planned, now that the Lavonia City council has chosen a contractor for the job.

The City has been working for months to find grant monies to pay for restoration work on the building, but has been unsuccessful.  Meanwhile, the building continues to fall into disrepair.

Last month, the city council heard from City Manager Gary Fesperman, who said the roof at the back of the Cannery building is leaking badly and needs immediate replacement.

Fesperman had secured a quote from one local contractor, but the council asked for more bids.  At Monday’s regular council meeting, Fesperman said all four contractors bid on phase one of the restoration project.

“The Cannery phase one project consists of roof, soffet repairs, facia, the gable ends, screened-in porch, entrance beside the boiler and the underneath ceiling of the front facade off Hartwell Road,” Fesperman said. “Two of the bids before you were close, one that was a little cheaper and one that was considerably more money.”

Of the four bids, Mayor Ralph Owens asked for a motion to approve a bid from local contractor IBC Construction at a cost of $53,472.

The motion was made by councilman David Howell and was seconded by councilman Harold Harbin and passed unanimously.

Work is expected to be completed before the winter weather moves in.  Meantime, the City continues to look for other grant funding to complete the renovation of the cannery.