By: Summer Kelley, Staff Reporter

The new Civic Center project has been in somewhat of a holding pattern since construction bids submitted last October were higher than what city officials had expected. Initially, commissioners had hoped to break ground on the project in mid-September of 2009, but high bids and other problems delayed the original schedule.

The high bids were thought to be the fault of the proposed cost of building materials and commissioners, River Street Architecture of Chattanooga and the contractor returned to the drawing boards.

Since October, city officials have said publicly, several times, that they have scaled back the project to help bring project costs within the $475,000 budget. The original proposed civic center boasted a large meeting room with stage, an animal adoption center, outdoor courtyard and other features. Plans are for the civic center to be built on property the city currently owns next to the city pool across the street from Jenkins Park.

The new civic center proposal has not been made public yet, but Parks and Recreation Commissioner Chuck Cannon said that the final changes were made in a meeting last week with the architect and contractor and he is just waiting to hear back from them.