Mburgh Village Rejects Bid for Work at MS Depot

MIDDLEBURGH - The Village of Middleburgh earlier this month rejected the lone bid for upgrades for the historic M&S Depot.

The village, in conjunction with the Middleburgh Historical Society, is looking to build a bathroom, storage closet area, and other improvements at the M&S Depot, located at the corner of Wells and Maple avenues.

In May, the village got a bid from Schoenecker Construction for $69,848 to do the work at the Depot, but officials at their May meeting said the bid was incomplete. Items such as heating, electricity, plumbing, air conditioning were added, the bid would be too high. Trustee Bob Tinker and Mayor Tim Knight said a new plan is needed.

"We need to make a different plan," Trustee Tinker said. The plans may have to be lessened in order to pay for the project, he added.

"We hope to get a new plan this year and go out to bid," Mayor Knight said. 

After reviewing the bid at their meeting in April, board members delayed taking any action as members of the Historical Society want to review and discuss it before the village takes any action.

The cost of the work will be paid for through funds provided for by local benefactor Nick Juried, who also paid for past upgrades.

Trustee Tinker, who has overseen the rebirth of the depot since work started about a dozen years ago, said the upcoming changes at the Depot should include period lighting around the property and a new bathroom and storage area which will be a separate building on the Grove Street end of the building adjoining the present deck. Additional work should include the two new parking areas and assorted concrete work for sidewalks, etc. 

The Middleburgh Historical Society is responsible for financing these projects. It is hoped that most of this work will be done this spring and summer. 

Village board members in April did approve a bid from Schoenecker Construction for replace three sidewalks in the village for $60,900. The village received three bids for that work.