Progress continues to be made on the addition to the Pulaski County Justice Center in Winamac.
Pulaski County Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer told the Pulaski County Commissioners Monday night that things are mostly moving in a forward direction.
Origer commented, “We received carpet today, we expect to get more of the flooring and backsplash tile this week, doors and hardware as well. First floor painting is done. Ceilings on both floors will be finished next week. Flooring in the basement has been completed to the extent possible until Rowland Design can get back to move the servers into the newly constructed IT room. Installation of soffit, fascia, downspouts and gutters should all be completed this week.”
Origer noted that there are several issues with change orders presented to the commissioners for approval of payment.
“I have a number of concerns, not necessarily with whether the work needs to be done or not because it does, but with who should be responsible for covering some of the costs due to some continued discovery of shortcomings on the architect’s part,” said Origer.
He said about $18,000 in change orders out of the $70,000 presented was acceptable for approval at this time
“That’s for an additional door for security, additional buzzers and video screens to go with that door, improving security when inmates are being brought into the court suite, and then some electrical updates for jury room, Prosecutor’s Office, and Circuit Court office monitors for watching those screens for video evidence in jury trials. That sort of thing.”
The commissioners approved those expenses.
Any other review of the change orders will be trusted with Commissioner Maurice Loehmer. The commissioners gave permission to Loehmer to approve those orders as they are reviewed with Origer. However, Origer said about $20,000 is still being negotiated concerning responsibility of payment.
With the change order concerns, Origer said that the project may suffer a delay in completion in order iron out discrepancies. However, the construction at the Pulaski County Justice Center is expected to be complete in mid-to-late June.
