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KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Keene officials are making another attempt to move forward with the city’s long-delayed downtown infrastructure project, extending the bid deadline to May 8 after a contractor submitted a proposal shortly after last week’s cutoff.
The bid period had closed at 2 p.m. Friday with no official submissions in hand. However, a proposal from Vermont-based Casella Construction arrived just minutes after the deadline — too late to be considered under strict procurement rules.
Speaking about the situation, City Councilor Mitch Greenwald said the city has little flexibility when it comes to bid timing.
“If the deadline is 3, it’s not 3:05,” Greenwald said, noting that adhering to the exact time is necessary to ensure a fair and legally compliant process.
Greenwald said it remains unclear why the bid was submitted late, though there were indications the contractor may have encountered issues with the city’s online bidding system. Despite the setback, he emphasized that the project remains active and that officials have taken steps to keep it moving forward.
City Manager Elizabeth Ferland has received authorization to immediately reissue the bid, with a new submission deadline set for 2 p.m. on May 8. Casella Construction — which also bid on earlier versions of the project — is expected to have another opportunity to submit, along with any other interested firms.
City Engineer Bryan Ruoff said bids will be opened and reviewed following the new deadline, and if a proposal is accepted, construction could still begin within the current building season — though time is becoming a critical factor.
“As we move forward, it is important to note that the window for the upcoming construction season is rapidly narrowing,” Ferland said.
The project, which focuses on replacing aging underground water and sewer infrastructure beneath Main Street, is considered a priority — particularly the need to address critical pipe systems that officials say cannot be delayed much longer. Above-ground improvements, including redesigned streetscapes and bike lanes, are also part of the plan.
Greenwald said discussions are continuing around how best to ensure that essential utility work moves ahead, even if broader elements of the project face further delays. Options such as setting aside contingency funding specifically for pipe replacement have been raised.
The latest development will be discussed at Wednesday’s Municipal Services, Facilities and Infrastructure (MSFI) Committee meeting, where councilors are expected to review next steps and consider whether additional adjustments are needed to attract more bidders.
The lack of on-time submissions last week marked the latest complication for a project that has been repeatedly revised. Initial bids received in December came in as much as $8 million over estimates, prompting the city to scale back the scope and extend the construction timeline in hopes of lowering costs and increasing contractor interest.
Even with those changes, officials have continued to face challenges, including what they describe as a difficult construction market. Labor shortages, high material costs, and the complexity of the multi-year downtown overhaul have all been cited as potential barriers to participation.
The project is currently estimated to cost just under $24 million. It is supported in part by a New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan totaling $3.8 million, including more than $2 million in loan forgiveness.
City officials say they will continue outreach to contractors and analyze feedback to better understand why more bids have not materialized.
For now, Greenwald said the focus is on keeping the project alive and ensuring the city can take advantage of the upcoming construction season if a viable bid is received next month.