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Project $200K over budget
Florala needs funds to pave parking lot, finish center
Published Wednesday, November 11, 2009
According to the Alabama Department of Conservation, when work was halted in July at Florala State Park, the community center and amphitheater project was already more than $50,000 over budget and only 75 percent completed.
Now, contractors now say it could take upwards of $200,000 to complete the building, which does not include paving the parking lot.
In September, the state said there was no funding left to complete the 10,400-square-foot community center, which at the end of July boasted bare sheetrock and concrete floors and no ceiling. A year earlier, the State Parks Joint Legislative Committee approved $1 million for the project. An additional $1 million in labor and equipment cost was contributed through the U.S. Air Force Reserve’s Innovative Readiness Team (IRT) program.
Mark Easterwood, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources state parks director, said recently obtained quotes from two contractors to finish the building came in at $125,000 and $217,000 respectively.
“There are also two outstanding bills left — $18,228 for the architect and $46,343 for exterior building work,” Easterwood said. “There’s only $9,790 left out of that $1 million bond money, so no matter how you add it up, it’s $54,781 in the hole.”
Funds are also needed to pave the parking lot and approximately $50,000 is needed to purchase incidentals such as tables, chairs and refrigerators.
State officials cited “lean times in state government” for the funding shortage and said the state parks system is self-sufficient and does not receive money from the state’s general fund. Therefore, facility operations are the sole responsibility of the Department of Conservation.
Operational costs for Lake Jackson are $175,000 per year. In 2008, approximately $75,000 was generated as local revenue at the park.
“I guess any way you look at it, it all comes down to money,” Florala Mayor Robert Williamson said Wednesday. “The search is on to find the cash. Our plan and the state’s plan are to look under every rock to find the necessary funding to finish this project. Florala needs it. It’s going to get finished. It’s the how and when that’s up in the air.”
Currently, the city, the state and the Kiwanis Club are working together to create a proposal to seek out funding sources, which will include grants, Williamson said.
Comments
Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 7:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Who was behind getting this building.Don't even have enough money to finish it.Its going to cost the state money,when and if its finished.Hmmm,wonder who the genius is that thought this was a good idea.
Posted by concerned (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 7:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm wondering at what piont in the project was it noticed that the money wasn't there to finish it. The ones that were in control of the money should have noticed that the funds were running low long before they ran out. Could changes not have been made to the plans? Kinda odd that the monitored funds "just ran out" in the middle of the project, with electrical wires exposed. It's just sad, there was such a beautiful building already in use, that could have been renovated for much less and everybody would have been happy. A sad day indeed for Florala residents that grew up on that lake, and all those that will.
Posted by knos (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Make no small plans for they have no power to stir the soul."--Niccolo Machiavelli
Were it not for the scope of the project it never would have been begun. There never would have been money raised for renovations.
The wrong people were hired to build the stadium seating. If the money spent digging around in the muck had been spent on folks that could actually do the job this situation wouldn't have happened. The IRT did a fine job with the structure. It's a beautiful building. I just feel like the other part was a little outside of their comfort zone.
Can Florala not issue bonds? That's the way most cities raise money for projects...
And not the people out with the fairies can have this topic back...
Adieu!
Posted by knos (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And now the people out with the fairies...
Posted by knos (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Issue the bonds and finish the project. Use the revenues to pay off the bonds. Problem solved.
I hear there are hundreds of people wishing to be married at the completed site.
Just sayin'.
Posted by knos (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It could be a consol bond with a coupon that locals buy...that way the people get money back from revenues made out there at the park. This would give everyone incentive to buy into the building. Only make those available to the locals of course.
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok folks I'm gonna show my ignorance here. When a project is bid out are'nt all the contengencies addressed in the contracts? A contract is drawn up, specifications are outlined, a price to FINISH the job is arrived at, and a performance bond is required of the contractor, and the project is completed in a timely manner. If a company contracts to complete a portion of the job for a set price, they honor that agreement or they get taken to court.
Please correct me if I am speaking out of turn here.
Posted by knos (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You don't often get to take the federal government to court biscuits...
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
For anyone who might not be well versed on the terminology of construction:
Contractor - A gambler who never gets to shuffle, cut or deal.
Bid Opening - A poker game in which the losing hand wins.
Bid - A wild guess carried out to two decimal places.
Low Bidder - A contractor who is wondering what he left out.
Engineer's Estimate - The cost of construction in heaven.
Project Manager - The conductor of an orchestra in which every musician is in a different union.
Critical Path Method - A management technique for losing your shirt under perfect control.
OSHA - A protective coating made by half-baking a mixture of fine print, red tape, split hairs and baloney--usually applied at random with a shotgun.
Strike - An effort to increase egg production by strangling the chicken.
Delayed Payment - A tourniquet applied at the pockets.
Completion Date - The point at which liquidated damages begin.
Liquidated Damages - A penalty for failing to achieve the impossible.
Auditor - Person who goes in after the war is lost and bayonets the wounded.
Lawyer - Person who goes in after the auditors to strip the bodies.
Posted by rlb1940 (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We were promised an amphitheater and its not, just an unfinished metal building, its a damn mess.
Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 10:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yep just think when or IF it is ever finished,to rent it out will be expensive.
Posted by andyforlife (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The IRT did the worst job I have ever seen. If you would take time out and make a visit to the jobsite without making accusations and assumptions, you would know the truth. The US Air Force and whoever else was involved in this project made a complete mess.
Don't get me wrong, the building itself is beautiful. I think it is a huge asset to the City of Florala. But when you go inside, take a look at the actual construction, it is a complete disaster. If you pulled a stringline from one side of the building (interior) to the other, the floors in some spots were 1 1/2 inches off. High spots and low spots. It is horrible. The walls are not square. The duct work looks like dirt dobbers did it. Seriously.
I think the IRT did the best they could with what they had to work with, but the US gov't should be to blame for this. They should have to come fix it. I know that Congressman Bright looked at it, and other state officials. I was not at that meeting and have not heard the outcome.
The stadium seating is pure pathetic. A group of kindergarteners could have done a better job. If you don't believe me, take a look for yourself. To be fixed properly, the stadium seating needs to be torn out and replaced.
The Department of Conservation also should be blamed to allow such pathetic work to take place. They were on site every single day to look at the work being performed and neglected to say a word. If they did, nothing was done to correct it, and that is obvious.
Kudos to the City of Florala and Kiwanis for looking at helping the state out and trying to come up with funding to complete the project. Great job to those that are involved. Good luck!
Posted by rlb1940 (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
lookyhere, ....but it is 'not' finished, and it is 'not' rentable, it is a 'defunct' incomplete structure that has to be 'cordoned off' from the public,........and that's who it's supposed to be far in the first place! From what I have read some folks from out of town, came in and messed the place up, I am TOO FAMILIAR with Federal Government Projects and their inspectors, and I do not believe any Full-Time military active duty unit had anything to do with this, .....maybe a 'Reserve' unit, if it is checked out and investigated, but not the US Active Duty Military, no way, I don't believe it.
Posted by sponqebob (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
stupid..unless the state change the work bidded out then somebody is stealing us blind...when i get a bid to roof my house for $3000.00 and I dont add any thing to the bid and the roofer gives me a bill for $3500.00 then its stealing...wow to easy!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by bluecollarguy (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Florala Park had a useable functional Center, I know, I went to it, many times. Went to ReUnions there, visited 24th June Celebrations there.-----------Now its an 'no use' place you cannot use, and a Million dollars gone. Who is in charge of the parcel? Is it the State of Alabama's, or is it the City of Florala's? Will some attorney, pro bono, please run a (Title Opinion) on this parcel, it shouldn't be too hard because it hasn't changed hands but maybe a couple of times, (if ever) since The Early Grants of Covington County, I might own it.
Posted by Naviddousel (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 9:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is there any way the State of Alabama can give away Florala? Could we swap the city for a case of Slim Jims, a six-pack of Falstaff, and some used tissues? As added incentive, Alabama citizens could throw in an experienced ex-Probate Judge as a player to-be-named-later. By the time Sherrie Phillips leaves Tutwiler, she could regain some of that "lost luster" as mayor of Florida's newest town: Florala, Florida.
Posted by lo1an2go (anonymous) on November 14, 2009 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Makes me think of the arena in Andalusia. If a contractor bids for a price and does not complete the project in the set amount of time the contractor is the one who loses usually. They are penalized per day for the unfinished job and eat the cost above the bid.
Posted by rabbit2300 (anonymous) on November 18, 2009 at 4:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i believe the fact that the money was not there was noticed before the project even started. Also the city almost lost the money they did have but came up with this plan just in time to almost finish it. This was after the former city clerk said they would have enough to do it.
I believe the former city clerk has once again help cost the after all the city and bank still are trying to figure out how much they have and dont have. But she remodeled her house and i know the chance to bring charges even on an ethics level is there. but what do i care.
Posted by blogwatcher (anonymous) on November 18, 2009 at 11:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this is changing the subject (since i cant post on that subject anymore....seems the item is full) any way I think we shoud call Bubba...."Goober" Please place your votes here.
"Sorry Goober, you are a good guy, please take no offence"
ok bidding is on!!
Posted by rabbit2300 (anonymous) on December 2, 2009 at 2:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The city has found 96k but lets not use it on unfinished projects lets start a new one.
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