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Is the new Edison Sports Building a ‘money pit?’ Here’s the new cost

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5 months ago

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Is the new Edison Sports Building a ‘money pit?’ Here’s the new cost

EDISON – The cost of the new Edison Sports Building has gone up again.

The project, originally envisioned as a $5 million investment, has more than doubled in price and is now up to more than $11 million. That prompted one resident to say the project is “a money pit.”

The Township Council on Wednesday approved a $96,814.05 change order for more stormwater piping and modification to the basement.

The work includes additional drainage due to field conditions, installation of gas piping not originally included in the contract drawings, additional excavation and site work and additional steel support for decorative screens.

Councilman John Poyner said there needed to be modifications to the foundation when adjustments were made to the roof.

The change order amends the contract amount of $11,071,247.45.

In addition the council awarded a contract to Colliers Engineering & Design of Holmdel for engineering services such as construction management and architectural construction contract administration services for project at a cost not to exceed $378,000.

The new firm was selected to address the larger scope of work, according to township officials.

“Our intent is to engage with a new firm for the architectural services but at the same time engage in construction management due to the issues that have arisen out of the roofing change order,” Business Administrator Sonia Alves-Viveiros said at Monday’s meeting.

Earlier: What’s the environmental impact of the new Middlesex County sports complex? Report due

“This is an increase in the cost of the project. However, we’re hoping with the construction management oversight that it will be a lot more efficient in terms of the cost and any other potential issues that may arise. Having someone on site to see exactly between the contractor and subcontractors that everything is exactly the way it is supposed to be, including all of the architectural design work so that there is a much higher level of oversight and hands-on approach to this project given the pricing,” she said.

Alves-Viveiros said the township has “learned from our mistakes” which is why the administration came to the council to hire a construction manager. She said the funding will come out of capital and the township is hoping to recover some of the costs.

Earlier in the week a resident questioned why the town didn’t hire a project manager at the onset.

In May the Township Council authorized a $187,433.40 change order to revise the metal roof panels on the pre-engineered Edison Sports Building. That change order amended the sports building contract with Epic Management of Piscataway to $10.8 million, the resolution stated.

More: Edison may cut down size of new construction along Amboy Avenue

Township officials said that to move forward with the building, Edison needed to make sure the roofing material was ordered and done correctly.

“That roof shouldn’t have created a problem if you had a project manager on the site looking at the plans,” resident Mary Ann Hennessey said at Monday’s meeting. “This is in my opinion, a disgrace. It keeps costing more money for stupid reasons.”

The project involves the removal of the existing buildings and trailers at the Edison Jets Football Field, 370 Central Ave., and construction of a pre-engineered metal building with a surrounding one- or two-story podium structure framed of steel columns, steel beams and a composite metal deck slab. Both structures will be supported on concrete shallow foundations.

Wet weather earlier this year delayed the construction schedule.

The building is slated to be used for cheerleading, wrestling, football, basketball, lacrosse and other activities year-round.

Email: srussell@gannettnj.com

Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

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