MOSES LAKE — Construction of the Moses Lake Civic Center Project is expected to begin in early June.

Moses Lake City Council accepted a $7.63 million bid from Team Construction to build the project. The bid came in under the city engineer’s estimate of $9.2 million.

“We had a very good bid opening like we hoped,” said Municipal Services Director Gary Harer.

The city received 16 bids to construct the project.

The 41,128-square-foot civic center project includes council chambers, administrative offices, auditorium, public lobby and the Moses Lake Museum and Art Center. The project is expected to be complete by January 2012.

The city was awarded a $1 million grant to go toward the construction of the project due to the relocation of the museum into the Civic Center project.

Councilmember Richard Pearce motioned to approve the bid and Councilmember Bill Ecret seconded.

“This is a big step,” Pearce said. “We’ve been waiting a long time.”

Mayor Jon Lane said the project will enrich the community since it can be used by the public. He said council is honored to be a part of the project.

The project will be constructed next to the current Municipal Services Building on South Balsam Street.