By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The bid for construction of the new Ellis County EMS/Rural Fire building was awarded July 8. Eager to get started on the oft-delayed project, Ellis County officials hosted the site groundbreaking Tuesday afternoon, just one week later.

Commercial Builders Inc. of Hays was awarded the construction bid of $3.4 million for the base proposal plus an alternate for extra insulation for $32,800, bringing the total project cost to $3.52 million. The architect is Spangenberg Phillips Tice Architecture, Wichita.

Commissioners previously rejected the first round of bids late last year because they all came in over the $3.5 million estimated cost.

The facility will be built at 22nd Street and General Hays Road in Hays, a block south of the current EMS building.

Commercial Builders employees started work at the site Tuesday and have one year to complete the building.

After the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce ground-breaking ceremony, EMS Director Kerry McCue thanked the public and the county for their “support and diligent work during the long process”:

The EMS/Rural Fire building project is being funded through a sales tax passed by Ellis County voters last spring.