By JIM BUTLER

After going back to the drawing boards LSU Alexandria is again seeking offers for building its Health Services Center in downtown Alexandria.

Bids will be received until April 16 with a pre-bid conference on April 2.

The state Office of Facility Planning & Control rejected three bids in December.

Disregarding alternates to the base project, Ratcliff Construction bid $35.1 million, Pat Williams Construction $36.57 million and Rudick Company $37.5 million. 

According to specifications noted before the bids, base estimated cost was $31.34 million.

Budgeted funding is $32 million, a combination of state funds, City of Alexandria appropriation and private contributions.

Records indicate Value Engineering on the project is completed.

That is a procedure for seeking alternates to initial specifications that can reduce costs or improve performance without compromising quality or function.

Final review process by the state, critical in capital outlay projects, readies the job for bid.

The 70,000-square feet facility at Jackson & 10th Streets will house all the university’s nursing and health-related programs. 

Records indicate that renovations to the A.C. Buchanan Building, donated by Rapides Regional as part of the Center project, are underway as is design for related HVAC and electrical systems.