Essex County board approves $1.67M change order after asbestos and structural issues found in park administration renovation

David Antonio, director of the Essex County Department of Public Works, told the Board of County Commissioners that a change order adding $1,673,439 is needed to Tekken/Techcon Construction’s contract to renovate the park administration building in Newark, raising the contract to a not‑to‑exceed $12,378,134. “This contract modification will add an additional $1,673,439 to the existing contract for a new not to exceed amount of $12,378,134,” Antonio said.

Antonio said the additional funds are needed after crews opened ceilings, roofs and walls and discovered unforeseen conditions including rot, missing structural support members, lead and asbestos that required regulated remediation. Contractor representative Eric told the board much of the building contains older terracotta CMU blocks that are hollow, and crews must demo and rebuild affected walls with solid CMU, mortar and new anchors. “And this terracotta CMU blocks, they are hollow,” Eric said, describing why the structural repairs were more extensive than plans anticipated.

When commissioners asked about schedule, Antonio said the county is “aiming to have the building complete this summer.” Commissioners also asked where the money would come from; County officials said the change order will be paid from existing capital fund authorizations for parks and public works and does not require a new capital ordinance.

Commissioners also confirmed the project is a project labor‑agreement (PLA) job. After discussion, Commissioner Richardson moved the item with Vice President Cooper seconding. The board approved the change order on roll call (Commissioner Graham was recorded absent).

The county described the work as both restoration and upgrade for a historic building constructed in 1906; Antonio said hidden conditions often appear when opening century‑old structures and require additional structural and hazardous‑materials work. The board recorded the approval to preserve project schedule and to address public‑safety and structural concerns uncovered during renovation.