(WGTD)---A Caledonia-based paving contractor whose low bid for a recent project in Racine was rejected because of concerns over a history of missing deadlines will get work in Kenosha.
A unanimous recommendation from Kenosha’s Public Works Committee to reject Cornerstone Pavers bid for a five-block stretch of 60th St. was overturned by the full city council Monday night on a ten to four vote.
Speaking in favor of Cornerstone, Alderman Jack Rose told his colleagues that the company has committed itself to a firm timeline, and that Kenosha needs to get the work done.
Later in the discussion, Cornerstone owner Christopher Cape agreed to personally appear before Public Works on a monthly basis to provide a progress report.
That still wasn’t enough for some council members, including Dominic Ruffalo. "If they can't work in Racine their hometown I certainly can't vote for them to work in the city of Kenosha," he said.
Ald. Bill Siel was one of those committee members who initially voted against giving Cornerstone a contract. Siel said he changed his mind after looking a bit further into the company's history. Cornerstone got a "black eye" for several projects that ran amuck, but that the majority of their work over the years has been acceptable, he said.
With the contract now in hand, Cornerstone is expected to begin construction on the 2nd prong of the four-phase 60th St. project early next month.
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