By COLLIN BREAUXThe Town of Ponce de Leon is looking to get a new walk-in medical clinic built by their Community Center, also known in the area as the old gym.
The Town has received grant funds totaling $1.95 million to facilitate a place for medical care. The budget for construction is expected to be approximately $1.85 million.
The Town will advertise for bids on the project. Though the Town had previously opened bids, the only bid submitted was from an Alabama-based company and almost $500,000 higher than the amount the grant budgeted for construction costs.
Town Clerk Jessica Harris thus recommended rejecting that bid and to readvertise, which the Town Council approved during a special meeting on March 14.
Two other people were said to have been interested in bidding, though they did not have time to get things together last time. The Town was not able to do an extension.
Tied into the anticipated new clinic is a renovation of the community center roof. The potential for what material to go with and associated costs and lifespan–including metal and PVC–was discussed during the March 14 meeting.
Having to go back out for birds has happened before, Harris said.
“This is not uncommon,” she said.
Hannah Collins 
GARETT VALCOURT 
Jim Saunders 