By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer

Photo courtesy Josh Davis
The current Pine’eer Craft Building in the White Horse Park will be demolished and relocated closer to the farmer’s market location, adjacent to the administration building.

(June 6, 2019) The Ocean Pines Board of Directors have selected a contractor to perform the work necessary to reconstruct the Pioneer Craft Building in White Horse Park.

Four bids had been provided on Friday, May 24, from three local companies: Whayland with a bid of $95,500, Ocean Tower for $86,826, Cox Building and Remodeling for $60,000 and Piney Island Construction for $138,134.

The board awarded the bid to Ocean Tower Construction, which, despite not being the lowest bidder, was deemed the most qualified and followed the specific requirements needed to perform the work.

“We had four construction bids,” Interim General Manager John Viola said. “We did an analysis … it was an excellent analysis. The recommendation was not necessarily the lowest bidder but we do have a complete analysis on the other bidders and this one met the requirements.”

Unlike two of the other bidders, Ocean Tower met all requirements, which included providing proof of its qualification and insurance, experience and a list of former projects and references,

The work required for the project will consist of constructing of a 19-foot by 25-foot wood frame craft building on concrete slab, with cedar shake vinyl siding, and standing seam metal roof.

The original building is in the middle of White Horse Park’s parking lot. The new building will be relocated closer to the farmer’s market location, adjacent to the administration building.

Construction is expected to begin within 30 days of the contract being finalized.