Aaron Shields, Public Buildings Division, for City of Portland.

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 1,250)

The upper roof of the Cummings Center is due to be replaced next month.  Public bids for the work went out several weeks ago according to  Aaron Shields, project manager, in the public buildings Division for the City.  The Cummings Center is located at 134 Congress Street on the HIll and houses city offices as well as the Ladder Co. 1 of the Portland Fire Department.

This morning about 20 interested contractors met on top of the Center to see just what the job involves.  The contractors were responding to a public bid put out by the city several weeks ago.  Shields expects about 12 contractors to submit bids by November 15th.  The replacement of the 6,000 ft.  EPDM roof (means a rubber type roof) is expected to begin in December and be completed by the end of the month.

Shields expects it to cost between $60,000 – $80,000. The upper roof was last replaced in 1994.  “This roof has had a lot of action,” said Shields.  He was referring to the summer time replacement of the communications tower and general wear and tear.  However, the recent storm did not contribute to this replacement decision.