WARNER ROBINS -- A handful of local contractors reviewed plans Wednesday morning for the foundational work for a new city-owned building, which is being built under a contract between the city of Warner Robins and the owners of Thrifty Car Rental.

As part of a December lease agreement with DTG Operations Inc., Warner Robins must construct a suitable building for Thrifty Car Rental, which needed to vacate its building in order for the new law enforcement center to be erected on the land.

The bid discussed Wednesday was for drainage, curbing, site work, sidewalks and the parking lot. Bids will officially open Friday and are due by Feb. 14. Purchasing agent Mark Baker wants work to begin by the end of February, he said.

“It (the agreement) says six months,” said Baker after Wednesday’s pre-bidding conference. “I don’t plan on using the whole six months. My goal is to have it done by the end of May.”

Thrifty will pay $2,500 a month in rent at the new location, which the city says will pay off the construction costs of the new building. City Council voted in November to loan the Redevelopment Agency -- which is overseeing the Thrifty move and the LEC -- $175,000 from the city enterprise gas fund for the relocation.

Baker said Thrifty moved from its original location at the northwest corner of Watson Boulevard and North First Street to a temporary location a block away on Tuesday morning. The new building will be at 112 S. First Street, near its original location.

Baker said he will begin the bidding process for the building next week. The building will be a basic 1,000-square-foot structure, with red brick facings, according to Baker. A sketch of it shows three columns and three large windows topped with awnings.

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