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POINT PLEASANT — This week the Mason County Commission received seven bids regarding renovations to the old Point Pleasant Hardware building.

The building’s first floor will become the new home of the Mason County Sheriff’s Department.

The bids were discussed at Thursday’s regular commission meeting and ranged from $1.6 to $1.3 million with the lowest bid coming in at $1,360,900 from Lombardi Development Company of Follensbee, W.Va. The Lombardi bid is being reviewed by the county’s engineering firm on the project, Chapman Technical Group. Upon a successful review, the commission will likely award the bid next week at its April 25 regular meeting.

Commissioners stressed whomever receives the bid will be asked to hire as many local workers as possible and make purchases from as many local vendors as possible. State law also mandates these jobs pay prevailing wage.

County Administrator John Gerlach said he was working on exactly how the financing package for the project will fall into place, saying he was reviewing mortgage loans, among other avenues. More on the financial details should be available at the next meeting.

The building will not only include the sheriff’s department but be used for storage on the second floor and the third floor has an apartment which can be rented to generate income for the county.

In other business:

The county commission is considering selling its property on Lieving Rd. where the West Columbia Ball Fields rest. Gerlach said the commission is considering the sale because of lack of use and repeated vandalism to the area. This vandalism includes the field being disturbed by ATV riders, the toilets and restroom doors being broken, the metal being ripped off the swings, etc. The property sits on 4.2 acres.

In addition, the county commission is also considering selling the property it owns behind the Letart Community Building. The rural, wooded property has not been surveyed but is estimated to be around 100 acres. Gerlach said this property the county would consider selling is basically from the point which the county stops mowing, back into the woods. Commissioner Miles Epling said he felt owning the property was a liability, especially with ATV riders using the property and increasing the risk of someone getting injured while in the area.

Gerlach reported gutters were being put on the Mason County Airport for $5,800 and on the Mason County Animal Shelter for $300. The gutters at the airport were paid for with a grant.

Commissioners also signed a proclamation showing support of the Mason County Development Authority to assist that agency in obtaining grants.

Present at Thursday’s meeting were Gerlach and Commissioners Epling, Rick Handley and Tracy Doolittle.