Local News in Brief : Senior Center Contract Awarded

A second contract to build a $1.2-million senior citizens center in old downtown Torrance has been awarded after the lowest bidder backed out of the project.

The City Council chose Leonard V. Bouas Construction to build the Bartlett Senior Citizens Center after the winning bidder, R. E. Fiege Co. of Long Beach, notified the city that the firm was unable to handle the project for $1.1 million it had bid.

Ground breaking was held last month for the two-story senior center, which will include recreational facilities, a courtyard, lounge, library, arts and crafts studios, a dining area, kitchen and multipurpose room.

Demolition of an existing building on the site is expected within two weeks and the new building should be completed within a year, city officials said.