The latest step in the construction of the Wheeling Gateway Center was announced Monday, as the Wheeling-Ohio County Convention & Visitors Bureau said it would negotiate with Stonemile Group LLC to build the facility.

Stonemile Group was the qualified lowest bid when bids from five companies were opened in April. Stonemile came in at $25,900,000. Other bidders were Rycon Construction Inc. at $28,895,000; Massaro Corporation at $32,656,600; Mascaro Construction at $33,976,000; and United Construction Company at $38,309,047.

“The CVB is very appreciative for the time that the contractors took to submit a bid for our project,” said Frank O’Brien, executive director of the Wheeling-Ohio County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We’re hopeful to reach an agreement with Stonemile in the coming weeks that reflects the community’s vision for this site and build a landmark that becomes a national destination.”

There are seven base bids in the entire package — for the core and shell of the building, the connector leading to the Heritage Trail below, the finished outdoor site with landscaping, the main-level fit out or interior finishings, the lower-level fit out, second-floor fit out and 10th Street site work and landscaping between Main Street and the entrance to the Suspension Bridge. Different funding partners provided backing for specific components of the build.

In collaboration with the project’s public funding sources, a bid certification process was completed for the three qualified lowest bidders, which included Stonemile Group, Rycon Construction Inc. and Massaro Corporation. The certification process ensured that all scopes of work were included in the bids and that the contractors’ approach considered the logistics of the Heritage Trail, Main Street and the historic Suspension Bridge during construction activities.

The contract negotiation period must be completed within 60 days of the original bids being publicly unsealed.

Results of the contract negotiation will be made public by the CVB, and a follow-up announcement will be made.