BULLHEAD CITY – The Bullhead City Council has awarded a Fort Mohave firm a $3.8-million contract to build the Bullhead City Animal Resource Center (BARC). Four construction companies provided proposals, and Precise Builders, Inc. of Fort Mohave submitted the low bid.
“We’re excited that it’s a local contractor, with local subs,” said city manager Toby Cotter. “It’s really the kind of project that we’re all looking for and I think the end result a year from now is going to be what everyone has asked for, for a very, very long time.”
Cotter said discussion involving a new animal shelter dates back to 1999, the first time he worked for Bullhead City. He said the project will total about $6-million when you add furnishing and the $1.75-million purchase price for the 27,353 sq. ft. building at 2435 Miracle Mile Road.
A few meeting audience members criticized some BARC facility features and the total project cost. They drew response from animal advocate Sue De Marco.
“I want to see this new shelter happen and the animals get a break so they have a little more room to stretch out and a little more room to play. Unless you’ve seen a dog that’s lived in a shelter for a year like I have don’t open your mouth,” she said.
Mayor Steve D’Amico’s critic push back was more terse.
“This isn’t a dog problem, it’s a people problem. The people are not responsible pet owners,” the mayor said. “If we could get people to be responsible and take care of their dogs and we didn’t have all of these dogs running the streets and the poor dogs in the shelters, I’d be all for it. I’d rather see the owners locked up in the cage rather than the dogs. I’m going to be the voice for these animals.”
The BARC facility should be completed and in operation by Aug. 1, 2025.
Dave Hawkins
