The apparent low bidder for a project to replace the roof on the old Depot building is Hash Roofing and Construction of Bidwell.

Bids were opened yesterday for the roof replacement project. Lawrence Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Bill Dingus said the Bidwell company submitted a base bid of $58,920 for roof and gutter work, and an additional $6,460 for soffit work. Dingus said Hash's bid was about what the work was expected to cost, perhaps slightly below estimates.

"I'm very pleased," Dingus said. "Anytime you get bids are that close to projections, it makes you feel positive."

Dingus said once the roof is in place, the old building will be more marketable to prospective clients.

"This will allow us to move forward with the project. Roofing is always subject to weather conditions. Once we get it finished, we can be fairly aggressive in looking for clients. There are lots of potential uses for the building. The emphasis lately has been on restaurants, but we need to keep an eye open for whatever may go well there and enhance the downtown market."

Hash Construction has done or is in the process of completing other work on private residences in the area, Dingus said. The Hash bid was one of two that were submitted. Shawn Walker and Associates of Ashland, Ky., is the architect for the project.