Apparent low bids received Tuesday by the New Ulm City Council for the new city library totaled $807,655, with two local firms among apparent low bidders.

The bids were opened and referred to the architect for tabulation with bid recommendations to be presented to the Council next Tuesday. The tabulation is necessary to check the arithmetic of bidders and make sure each bid includes all specified work.

Heymann Construction of New Ulm had apparent low bid on general construction,$575,500. Only other bidder was a Mankato firm which bid $648,000. An alternate bid to substitute stucco outside panels in place of artstone would lower the Heymann bid by $9,100.

Heymann would be ready to begin work within 10 days of signing the contract, and complete the work (ready for occupancy)within one year.

Architect Gene Flynn said after the meeting that the beginning of construction would probably be delayed to June 1because of the time necessary for condemnation of land for the parking lot.

Wilfahrt Brothers of New Ulm were apparent low bidders by about $2,700 on the electrical work – $88,750.Only other bidder on this work was a Glenwood firm.

Buchmann Plumbing and Heating of Minneapolis was apparent low bidder on mechanical work at $131,350. Six other firms bid.

Rice County Plumbing and Heating of Faribault was apparent low bidder on outside utility work at $12,055. This item was to be bid separately from the other mechanical work and not all mechanical bidders gave quotes on this part of the job.

The unofficial total of $807,655 is about eight per cent over the architect’s estimate of $747,000.

Other costs in addition to construction will be architect’s fees (about 8-9 per cent of construction costs or about $68,000),furnishings (estimated at $87,000), and $2,000 miscellaneous, or a total estimated project cost of $965,000.