Mercer County Housing Authority opened bids Monday for the modernization of the exterior of Sharpsville Gardens.

The authority is hoping to award two contracts, one for general construction and the other for electrical work.

For general construction, Linton Industries in New Castle offered the lowest of three bids at $1,244,000.

General construction will include improvements to the administration building, replacement of rear storm and front entry doors and improving the northwest parking lot.

For electrical construction, the lowest of four bids came from Penn-Ohio Electric, Masury, at $187,000. Electrical construction will include the addition of walk lights, overhead utility services and lights in the parking lot.

L. Dewitt Boosel, executive director, said the housing authority board will review all the bids with the solicitor before making any decisions. The board will also have to review their budget situation, he added.

The authority has planned to improve five of its communities using an annual federal grant of roughly $1.5 million. The federal government changes the amount each year. Sharpsville Gardens is among the first of the communities slated for work with the 2002-03 allocation. In the future others will include Fay Terrace in Pymatuning Township, Mesabi Street in Sharon, Garster Homes in Farrell and Pine Hollow Village in Sharon.