Visitors to Jim Thorpe will have new, updated restrooms this summer.

During the Carbon County Commissioners' meeting on Thursday, bids were opened for restroom restorations in the Old Mauch Chunk Train Station, located in the center of downtown Jim Thorpe.Commissioner Wayne Nothstein, chairman, said that the project is a complete overhaul of the bathroom facilities in the train station because the current facilities are outdated.The first of the two items, which was for general construction, had nine bidders.Kesk Corporation of Jim Thorpe submitted the apparent low bid of $74,500. Other bids include Bognet Inc. of Hazleton, $82,955; E.A. Johnson Group Inc. of Schuylkill Haven, $83,150; Spotts Brothers Inc. of Schuylkill Haven, $87,000; Kropics Kontracting Inc. of Walnutport, $89,176; CMG of Easton, $91,9400; Ashwood Enterprises LLC of Danielsville, $94,585; Home Solutions Partners of Palmerton, $107,939; and Bracy Contracting Inc. of Allentown, $127,074.The second item, for plumbing work, had seven bidders.The apparent low bid was also submitted by Kesk Corporation, who bid $24,750. Other bids include Spotts Brothers Inc., $28,800; S&S Mechanical of Hazleton, $34,207; W.C. Eshenaur and Son Inc. of Harrisburg, $35,000; Bognet Inc., $35,555; Home Solutions Partners, $37,495; and L&S Electrical Construction Company Inc. of Lehighton, $41,380.Nothstein said he was pleased with the bids because he expected them to come in a little higher.He noted that he already spoke with organizations who store items in the basement of the station so crews can get at the plumbing in the floors.Construction will start shortly after a contract is awarded and expected to take between four to eight weeks to complete, pending on what issues arise when crews start tearing out the current restrooms."We're trying to get this done prior to the busy season," he said, adding that it will affect the Earth Day weekend activities scheduled in the borough. Porta-Potties will be brought in to help. "We are hoping to do this as quickly as possible without too much interruption."Nothstein also announced that the visitors center in the train station will remain open during the construction.Plans for the renovations began last year when they voted to hire Alfred Benesch and Company of Pottsville, along with their subconsultant Watkins Architect LTD, for professional services regarding the design restrooms renovations. The cost for these services was $18,000.At the time, Nothstein pointed out that the renovations were supposed to take place a few years back but due to costs, the grant for the project was not enough to cover restroom renovations.Money from the county parking fund, which is made up of the fees vehicles must pay when parking in the county parking lot, will now be utilized for the renovations.