Martel Construction was the low bidder among five firms vying for a major renovation of the main Flathead County Courthouse.

The county commissioners opened bids Wednesday and will award the bid early next week. Martel, which has offices in Bigfork and Bozeman, bid $1,940,800 for a project that involves restoring the interior and exterior, and improving accessibility and energy efficiency. The architect’s estimate for the project was $2,032,900.

Other firms bidding for the project were Meredith Construction Co. of Kalispell, which bid $2,025,840; Swank Enterprises of Kalispell at $2,076,500; Dick Anderson Construction of Helena at $2,040,324; and Diamond Construction of Kalispell at $2,087,100.

“They’re all quality firms,” County Administrative Officer Mike Pence said.

County officials expect construction to begin in February and wrap up by early September.

Martel Construction’s website says the company started as a father-son team in 1960 and now employs up to 150 people. The company has extensive experience in historical restoration in Yellowstone National Park. In 2008, Martel was awarded the Best Historic Restoration Award by the Montana Contractors’ Association for its restoration efforts at Yellowstone Park’s Old Faithful Lodge.

The courthouse project involves restoring the grand stairway to replicate original construction and preserving the exterior facade, which includes replacing damaged trim and installing rain gutters and new windows.

The 108-year-old building will be brought up to Americans with Disabilities Act standards by adding an elevator and handicapped-accessible restrooms on each floor.

County employees who work in the Courthouse have been temporarily relocated to the Earl Bennett Building at 1035 First Ave. West.

Funding for the project will come from four sources: $50,000 from a state historical preservation grant; $126,300 from the federal Department of Energy to install energy-efficient and historically aesthetic windows; $210,000 from the Flathead County Museum Board; and just over $2 million from non-property-tax dollars set aside over the past seven years in the county building fund.