Sycamore Downtown Delayed By Contracting
— by Jeffrey Wisniewski — 22 October 2009 — 1 comment below »
A gap in construction phasing has resulted in a stalled state of construction for the Sycamore Downtown/North project. The contracting and phasing aspects of the contract was subcontracted to a construction management firm for a fee of $4m (or nearly 8 percent of anticipated construction costs), although the “bidding process for the subcontractors [is] managed by the City.”
The first phase — excavation and shoring — has been completed, but a contractual gap has slowed down the second phase — foundation construction — from commencing. In the interim, a large well-formed pit remains open, which some residents refer to simply as “the pool.”
Walter McKinney, as contractor working as the City’s affordable housing department, is apparently the point of contact at the City for the project. Approximately 75 percent of Sycamore Downtown will be allocated as affordable housing (partially to make up for the lack of affordable housing in Promenade, Bayside and the future Hilltown).
Shouldn’t we rename this project to raise property values? Anyone ?