The selection of a contractor to tear down and clean up the former Mercy Hospital campus has been pushed backed following questions raised by demolition crews vying for the job.

City officials had anticipated opening bids for the estimated $4 million project on Sept. 22.

However, that step was pushed back to Friday after contractors competing for the project presented questions and requested clarifications on various aspects of the demolition deal.

Officials said providing such clarifications before accepting final bids is commonplace with projects of this scale.

"It's been a variety of things across the board from clarifying language, to confirmation of samplings and questions about the asbestos removal," said Melissa Johnson Gabbard, economic development specialist with Hamilton. "We thought there were several valuable points that needed to be clarified and that's because we want to make sure our bidders are completely informed as possible. It only works to our benefit."

Johnson-Gabbard said a contractor could be selected some time during the first week of October.

The city of Hamilton, which has owned the former Mercy site since 2004, is paying for the demolition project with more than $3 million in state and federal redevelopment grant money which was awarded to the city last year.

Officials have said the demolition of the buildings will likely not start until some time in 2007.

City officials are still negotiating the final terms of the redevelopment deal with Cincinnati-based Towne Properties. The agreement signed off on by the Hamilton City Council last year calls for Towne to dress up the site with riverfront condos and offices. The investment could be worth up to $12 million.

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