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The LaFayette City Council has a decision to make regarding the renovations for the old bank building that will become the new city hall. The council voted to table the discussion after receiving two bids that were higher than expected, according to Council Chairman Terry Mangram.

The city received two bids for alterations to the old bank at 54 Lafayette Street N across from Renfroe’s Market. 

The city held its bid opening on Feb. 27. The low bid from Whatley Construction in Opelika was for $454,800 with an alternate of $8,750. 

The alternate 1 would be to add a mini-split unit so that the glass-enclosed area on the side of the building — which will become the police department waiting area — would have heating/cooling.

Another bid also came in from Forsyth Building Company in Anniston, Alabama, for $463,800. The alternate bid is $17,000. 

“I didn’t expect the prices to come in this high. I think we need to really look at things that we have talked about doing there,” Mangram said. “If we decide not to do it, we just have to go back through a whole other bid process on the same job.”

The city is working with Meinert Architecture for the alterations, some of which will make the building ADA-compliant. 

One of the most expensive alterations will be moving the bank counter back in what will be the council chambers, according to Mangram.