SPECIFIC EXPLANATION: The General Services Department recommends that City Council approve the final contract amount of $2,896,046.00 or 13.08% over the original contract amount, accept the work and authorize final payment to J.E. Dunn Construction Company, for construction services in connection with Bethel Park for the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD).
PROJECT LOCATION: 801 Andrews (493P)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project converted the historical Bethel Missionary Baptist Church building and property located in the Fourth Ward into Bethel Park. The church interior was completely destroyed by fire in 2005. The project restored three walls and converted both the interior of the church and the remaining property into a passive use park for the neighborhood. The project restored the brick walls and window openings; removed the exterior temporary stabilization bracing and installed permanent interior bracing; installed new metal panels and poly-resin glass panels in the window openings; installed new metal panels and poly-resin glass panels for the entire south wall; installed concrete and brick walkways; installed an artificial turf interior courtyard; installed a new decomposed granite maintenance access driveway; upgraded electrical service for events; and installed site amenities including raised water fountains, seat walls, benches, lighting, drinking fountain, fencing, landscaping, turf and irrigation.
White Oak Studio, Inc. was the design consultant for the project.
PREVIOUS HISTORY AND PROJECT SCOPE: On July 10, 2013, City Council approved a First Amendment to the construction contract which increased the director’s authority to approve Change Orders up to 14.17% of the original contract price. The increased scope of work provided for improvements to the City purchased vacant lot adjoining the park, which included installation of a new decomposed granite maintenance access driveway and new lights for the driveway. Upgraded electrical service for events; installation of electrical conduit for security camera wiring and interpretative panels with frames for the park.
CONTRACT COMPLETION AND COST: The contractor completed the project within 524 days: the original contract time of 273 days plus 251 days approved by Change Orders. The final cost of the project including Change Orders is $2,896,046.00, an increase of $335,046 over the original contract amount.
PREVIOUS CHANGE ORDERS: Change Orders 1-5 terminated an existing gas line; installed new water meter connection; repaired existing deteriorated 2nd floor remnant concrete beams; repaired existing lintels with galvanized beams for reinforcement; installed ferrous cement at door openings; and installed electrical conduit and façade lighting at the north entrance. Improvements to the acquired adjacent lot consisted of additional site lighting; a new stainless steel electrical enclosure; fencing around electrical enclosure; a new decomposed granite maintenance driveway with concrete strips; additional storm detention capacity for new driveway; and new pipe gate at driveway. Additional site improvements included new ADA ramps at corners, conduit for HPD security cameras; installed four additional color polycarbonate panels on north windows; performed archeological dig of the previous church structures and artifacts; installed 14 interpretive panels with galvanized frames to display church and community history; installed bird control on upper structural steel; installed anti-microbial sand under artificial turf; installed two additional trash receptacles; and added non-compensable days to the contract due to the increased scope of work.
CONSTRUCTION GOALS: The contract contained a 4.59% MBE goal and 12.18% SBE goal. According to the Office of Business Opportunity, the contractor achieved a 4.18% MBE goal and 7.64% SBE goal and was assigned an unsatisfactory rating.