Marthasville aldermen have awarded a contract to restore the Katy Trail Depot, but the much-delayed project is awaiting final state approval before work begins. MoDOT officials have yet to give final approval for the winning bidder. Once that is finalized, a preconstruction meeting, initially scheduled for Dec. 15 but postponed, will be rescheduled. At a special board of aldermen meeting held Dec. 1, Spencer Contracting Company, of Arnold, was awarded the contract for $104,985. The bid breakdown was as follows: general construction, $86,985; building relocation, $4,000; and roofing and sheet metal, $14,000. Other bids were submitted from Newcastle Construction ($117,415), Weber Brothers Construction ($134,628), Friese Construction ($144,600), Gildehaus Construction ($172,800) and Sieve Contractors ($211,000). Spencer Contracting will have 150 days to complete the project. If the deadline is not met, the company may be charged $700 a day in liquidated damages. The depot project involves moving the existing structure, located near the MFA plant, south to the DNR trailhead next to Highway D. The existing pavilion will be relocated to the Marthasville City Park, near the area where the playground equipment is located. The depot, to be used as a welcome center and museum, will be the only one restored and still located on the Katy Trail. As part of the grant requirements, at least 75 percent of the original structure must be reused when it is moved. The project is being funded through a $217,342 grant awarded in 2007 by the Missouri Department of Transportation Enhancement Fund Program. The city and Chamber will be responsible for 21 percent of the overall cost, or $45,642, which will be accomplished through volunteer labor, donated materials and equipments, and cash. The remaining 79 percent, which amounts to $171,700, will come from federal and state funds. The project has been slow to proceed since the grant was awarded due to a variety of reasons. In at least two instances earlier this year groundbreaking ceremonies were tentatively scheduled, but were scratched due to the project’s slow progress. The bidding process, which began in October, was anticipated to have begun in July. In 2009, the city and Chamber signed an agreement to pay $10 to lease DNR’s property at the trailhead for 25 years once the depot is relocated. According to the agreement, the city and Chamber will be responsible for maintaining the property by mowing the grass and keeping the restrooms stocked and cleaned. All the supplies needed for the bathrooms will be furnished by DNR. The state agency is allowing the city and Chamber to keep the restrooms open year-round. The local entities will have to pay costs associated with installing a heating system for the winter.