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Hogansville is putting out bids again in its quest to convert the old PNC Bank building into the city’s new city hall. 

According to Interim City Manager Lisa Kelly, the lowest bid to convert the building was $460,000. The council voted to reject all current bids. 

Kelly said city staff and the architects have been working with the low bidder in efforts to lower the cost down to the city’s target budget of $350,000, which is the total from USDA grants and other financial contributions. 

Kelley said two separate attempts have been made to reduce costs to meet the city’s target budget, but they have been unsuccessful. 

A procurement period of 30 days is required but bids can be opened as early as the first week of July.

Additionally at Monday’s meeting, councilwoman Toni Striblin presented the council with a budget of $850 to use in planning the 150th birthday celebration of Hogansville on Oct. 12, 2020. 

The committee working on events and plans leading up to the 150th birthday of the city was approved to continue the plans for a variety of projects. 

“We have chosen a spot on Lawrence Street, it is kind of a little mini grassy spot right now,” Striblin said. “We want to make that a wildflower patch, where you just absolutely cover it in wildflower seeds. It can keep growing and blooming.” 

All of the projects planned are being grouped into the number 150 to reflect the birthday. 

“We want to do 150 rocks,” Striblin said. “These rocks are not the itty-bitty ones you see people pick up and throw around. They are hand size, and they are thicker.” 

The plan for the rocks are to paint them with something significant about Hogansville, or something related to Hogansville. 

“We are placing them around specific spots around Hogansville,” Striblin said. “Then people can take a rock tour. We’ll have people come together to paint those.” 

There are also 150 prayer flags being made. 

“These are specifically to let people know in our community that we support prayer for our community,” Striblin said. “It’s just a prayerful way of showing reflection of what’s going on our hearts, minds and our community.”