In February, Wilmington City Council awarded a contract to Saffo Contractors, Inc. to undertake a rehabilitation project on the Front Street Bridge. The bridge, which runs through the downtown CFCC campus between Red Cross and Hanover streets, was built in the 1960s and requires a deck replacement and assorted cleaning, painting, and other repairs.
According to the city’s agenda documents, Saffo Contractors became the lowest responsible bidder after another company, Paragon Building Corporation, withdrew from consideration.
Documents provided by the city through a public records request show that the city told Paragon it planned to reject its bid because it wasn’t a “responsible bidder.” Paragon pushed back strongly, but ultimately withdrew — though, interestingly, the city now says it considers Paragon eligible to bid on future projects…