About $24 million worth of subcontracting work on the big Spokane Convention Center expansion project has been awarded, with the bulk of the contracts going to Spokane-area concerns.


The Spokane Public Facilities District and Hoffman-Bouten, a joint venture that is the general construction manager on the project, say some of the work for which it awarded contracts recently had to be rebid after unacceptable bids were received last December.


Here is a rundown of the major subcontracting jobs let on the project.


Metals Fabrication Co., of Spokane, received a $6.2 million contract to manufacture structural steel for the expansion project, says Dave Garske, an operations manager with Hoffman-Bouten. As part of that contract, Garco Construction will install the structural steel. That work is expected to start in May.


The buildings shell will be installed immediately after the steel framework is in place. Streimer Sheet Metal Works Inc., of Portland, was awarded a $1.4 million contract to install the shell, and that work is slated to start in July.


Krueger Sheet Metal Co., of Spokane, received a $1.2 million contract to install the roof covering and insulation, as well as do other smaller projects, says Bob Starkey, Kruegers vice president. It has started the smaller projects and will work on the roof this summer.


The Spokane branch of Apollo Sheet Metal Inc., of Kennewick, Wash., was awarded a $5.5 million contract for the mechanical work, including installing the buildings duct work and piping for the buildings heating and cooling systems. As part of that contract, McClintock & Turk Inc., of Spokane, will handle the facilitys plumbing work, Garske says.


Energized Electric Inc., of Spokane, received a $3.9 million contract to do the electrical work on the project. It started that work last month.


The Spokane operation of Lenaxa, Kan.-based Performance Contracting Inc. has been awarded a $2.9 million drywall contract.


Anderson Masonry Inc., of Spokane Valley, was awarded a $1.4 million contract to handle masonry work. That work recently began, Garske says.


Harmon Inc., of Golden Valley, Minn., was awarded a $1.6 million glazing contract to install the buildings glass.


Already, much of the expansion project has been completed. The convention center project got under way about a year ago and, due partly to mild winter weather, has been running ahead of schedule, Garske says. Parking structure foundations and columns have been installed, work on mezzanine level parking and loading dock concrete has wrapped up, and the focus now is on the exhibit hall floor level.


Total construction costs are expected to be about $60 million, but total project costs are expected to approach $80 million, counting the Azteca restaurant relocation costs and other expenditures.


Spokane Public Facilities District and Hoffman-Bouten will put out to bid about $2 million in subcontracting work for flooring, iron and stair work, and a package that includes security, audio, and visual systems later this month. Another contract worth about $5 million for the remodel of the old facility will be put out to bid in the next three months, Garske says.


Hoffman-Bouten is a joint venture between Hoffman Construction Co., of Portland, and Bouten Construction Co., of Spokane. The speedboat-shaped convention center addition is being constructed east of the current convention facilities. It will include 100,000 square feet of new exhibit hall space.