It will cost roughly $3 million to repair the exterior of the Butler County Government Center.

Perry Construction Group of Erie submitted the lowest of three bids — counting all project alternates — at nearly $3.2 million. The bids were opened Wednesday morning, The project was estimated to cost between $2.9 million and $4.5 million.

Uhl Construction of Allison Park submitted the second lowest total bid at $3.8 million.

Arcon Contracting of Lower Burrell submitted the highest total bid at nearly $5 million.

“We're pleased to see we have three bidders within the budget we anticipated, especially with the alternates,” said County Commissioner Leslie Osche, board chairman, in an interview.

The base bids, which ranged from $3 million to $4.2 million, cover the replacement of all the beige panels around the building with insulated metal panels and the addition of new windows.

Granite panels will be used to cover the front support pillars.

The first alternate is repairing the sidewalk outside the wall down Diamond Street and running along South Washington Street.

The second alternate is installing a peak on the south stair tower roof.

The third alternate is installing new exterior doors along Diamond and Washington streets.

The fourth alternate is removing the interior windows that would otherwise remain after the new windows are installed with the new panels.

John Campbell, director of county facilities and operations, said at the meeting if all the paperwork is verified in time, the commissioners could award a contract at the June 15 meeting.

The project is funded through the 2016 borrowing of $5.8 million, which also is paying for the drainage work around the courthouse.