The Pulaski County Commissioners heard an update on the courthouse project during their meeting Monday.
Pulaski County Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer announced, general demolition and deconstruction work has continued. In a previous story, Origer said Tonn and Blank contractors found that the slab of concrete in the basement needed to be completely removed. Prior to the start of the project, during the bidding process, the commissioners agreed to not remove the entire slab of concrete and to only repair what was badly needed in order to save costs. Origer explained that as the contractors started to remove pieces of concrete, they found that areas were crumbling and moisture was an issue in other areas and that it could worsen if the entire slab is not replaced. The commissioners agreed to approve two change orders to remove the entire slab of concrete and to adjust work to a wall in the Recorder’s office. The approximate total of the change orders was $80,000.
During Monday’s meeting, Origer stated the removal of the rest of the slab has begun pursuant to the recently approved change orders. He went on to say, most of the items removed from the building neither slated for refinishing nor otherwise going back into the building has been delivered to Olson Auctions. It was noted, there is still some woodwork in the building that needs to be placed in storage, as well as the Circuit Court’s gallery seats.
Origer brought forth a new change order from Tonn & Blank for the installation of a new slab across all sections of the basement not originally planned to have the slab removed and replaced. The scope of work for this request includes required excavation, the placement of a six inch layer of number 53 stone, the installation of a vapor barrier, and the pouring of the concrete. Origer said, unless the county has enough extra funds remaining in the contingency and from interest at the end of the project to reinstall the retaining wall, this change order would surely be the largest change order the county would have for this project. It was noted the change order would cost $156,856.30, which is about 26 percent of the current, pre-interest contingency balance.
Origer added, Project Manager Matt Nocevich informed him that there is some money within that amount that may not end up being used if the replacement of the full slab doesn’t have too much of an effect on the overall project schedule. The commissioners unanimously approved the new change-order request from Tonn & Blank to proceed with the pouring of a new slab in the entire courthouse basement.
It was then stated Project Superintendent John Allen is planning to attend the next commissioner meeting to provide an update on progress from his perspective as well.
