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Bids delay Ashland project By Sara Murphy ASHLAND � Contractors� bids for the library expansion project came in nearly 15 percent over budget Monday, forcing a delay in construction while the city looks for ways to trim costs. Meanwhile, a man perched about 25 feet up a cedar tree to protest the project says he won�t climb down without further reassurance that the library trees won�t be cut to make room for construction. "I want more library, but not at the expense of the park," said Rick Harris, speaking by walkie-talkie from his 4-by-8-foot bivouac. "It�s just not right." Harris, 44, has camped in the cedar since Friday after rumors spread that trees on the property were to be removed Sunday. Though the cedar is not scheduled for removal, Harris� perch is suspended by cable to a doomed ginkgo � if it falls, he falls. City officials say the trees likely will be felled on a Sunday � when the library is closed � but not until an acceptable construction bid is received. That didn�t happen Monday, when officials opened three proposals from general contractors hoping to renovate Ashland�s historic Carnegie library and build a 16,000-square-foot addition. Each of the bids estimated costs at least $600,000 higher than the project�s approximately $4.1 million budget, said Dick Wanderscheid, administrative services director. Removal of the trees will fall under a different contract, he said. John�s Pruning Service in Medford turned in the lowest quote for that portion of the project, but there�s no contract and no schedule to remove the trees. Wanderscheid said he faxed the contractors� bids on Monday to the project�s Portland architects, Sera Architecture. Architects and city officials will study the bids and plans to see whether costs can be trimmed to fit the budget without "seriously compromising" the project, he said. At more than $4.76 million, 2G Construction of Eugene was the low bidder. Ashland�s Adroit Construction came in at nearly $4.82 million and Skyward Construction, of Vancouver, Wash., bid nearly $4.97 million. Ashland resident Bob Taber, leader of a petition effort to save the trees and force the city to reopen the project for public discussion, said he was pleased that the bids came in too high. "It looks like this thing is going back to the people whether (Mayor) Cathy Shaw or the Friends of the Library want it or not," he said. "That�s what we wanted all along. This is very exciting." Harris also was comforted by the news, but pledged his feet won�t touch the ground until he feels confident the trees won�t be felled. Harris said he�s "not an environmentalist" and that his concerns about the library expansion project include more than the trees. A resident since 1992, Harris said Ashland�s values are straying from those that inspired him to stay, such as the library�s former dog-friendly policy. Though he doesn�t have a permanent home, Harris said he�s not a transient � he doesn�t wander. "It�s taken me eight years to get halfway across town," he joked. Harris said he�s a bit cramped, but not uncomfortable in his one-man tent. He�s snug in his sleeping bag, he said. A steady flow of friends and gawkers continue to stop by, offering hot soup and support. A group of preschoolers dropped off pictures they�d drawn of him in the tree, Harris said. Tending to prostate cancer with herbal medicine and a vegan diet, Harris said he feels stronger than he did two months ago and his new "job" offers plenty of time for rest. He�s also getting over a fear of heights, which made him dizzy when he first began nesting in the tree. "I don�t like looking down," he admitted. Harris said the awkward space has its benefits, however. He saw Ashland�s first snow fall through the cedar branches Monday afternoon. "That was beautiful, it really was," he said. "I�d invite you to come up here when it gets dark and the downtown lights come on. I�ve got the best bird�s-eye view in town." Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.