Police project in final stages

By Debra Friedman
Staff Writer Posted: 01/03/2009 01:00:00 AM EST

Police project in final stages - Greenwich Time - Topix

Despite minor quality control issues with the construction of the new downtown police station, building officials said the project is still moving ahead on schedule.

"We are on target for time and we are right at budget," said Alan Monelli, town superintendent of building construction and maintenance.

Recently, town representatives overseeing the project noticed a problem with the finishing of the concrete floors and asked the contractor, Bethel-based Worth Construction, to fix the flaw.

A hollow spot on the concrete surface must be sanded and filled in, according to Monelli, who said that the problem does happen occasionally.

"It's not a structural issue. It's a quality control issue," said Monelli, who noted that it would not cost the town any extra money to fix.

Worth Construction is repairing the problem, although it will not prevent workers from moving ahead with other aspects of the construction project.

"They've been trying to do it on a small scale and we've been advising them that they should increase their work force so they can get it done faster," said Monelli.

Thus far, the town has had no major issues with the contractor's work on the public safety complex, even though Worth's other Greenwich-based municipal construction project, Hamilton Avenue School, has been riddled with problems and delays.

"Based upon what I saw when I was on tour about two months ago, it appeared to be moving along, there were no issues," said First Selectmen Peter Tesei.

In February, Worth Construction officials pledged to complete the $33 million project, which includes a new police station and garage for public safety personnel, in February 2009, not September 2009, as originally slated.

Monelli said the project is still scheduled for substantial completion in February. However, he noted that only means the majority of the construction work is done and does not mean the facility will be ready for occupancy.

At that point, there is a final inspection and the contractor has time to go back and fix any problems, Monelli said.

After that, the building will be outfitted with technology and furniture, noted Tesei.

Police Chief David Ridberg said the department will work to ensure the physical move from one building to another is seamless so as not to disrupt operations.

"Nobody will notice any difference in service. It will be seamlessly done because we can't shut down for a day," Ridberg said.

Tesei said once this phase of the public safety complex is complete, the town will discuss plans for a new central fire headquarters that will house the fire department and GEMS administration.

"That's a substantial project that will be the topic of considerable debate in terms of which direction the town wishes to proceed," said Tesei, who noted that the intent was to renovate the current police and fire facilities, but might end up involving a complete reconstruction.

"It may be more cost effective to tear it down and start from scratch, but that is a decision that still has to be made," said Tesei.