Grand Rapids, MN – Lake Country Power has selected Hawk Construction, a Grand Rapids area contractor, to lead construction of the electric cooperative’s new service center in Cohasset, Minn. The co-op will break ground on the $11.2 million project later this spring.

Hawk Construction provided the lowest bid for the 68,000-square-foot facility. All bids came in under the co-op’s projected construction costs. The service center will be in Cohasset’s expanded industrial park, west of the co-op’s present location along U. S. Highway 2.

“This is a long-term investment that will serve Lake Country Power members and employees for the next 50 years or more,” said Greg Randa, Lake Country Power general manager. “The new building will replace our current headquarters – a timeworn, over-crowded building with poor highway access for utility vehicles and equipment.

“We are pleased the project will employ local and regional sub-contractors, who will draw from a highly qualified and skilled workforce within the region.”

A building committee, comprised of several LCP directors and members of the co-op’s senior staff, made the decision to award the bid to Hawk Construction after reviewing five competitive proposals.

Architectural Resources, Inc., from Hibbing, is leading the architectural, engineering and design of the project. Randa said ARI provided LCP a strong framework for a competitive bidding process and a practical, forward-thinking building design.

“ARI was excited to have the opportunity to assist LCP in developing this new facility,” says Mark Wirtanen, lead architect on the project. “The design process has been a thoughtful collaboration of LCP and ARI staff, and now with the bid results on target we are enthusiastic about seeing the building begin to take shape.”

Construction will begin as soon as project terms and details are complete and is estimated to take 18 months. Bids ranged from the winning proposal of nearly $11.2 million to a high bid of $11.9 million.

Architectural Resources, Inc., is a full-service professional design and engineering firm based in northeast Minnesota with nearly six decades of experience.