Council presses for Field Street repairs as contractor and funder approvals linger

Council members pressed for immediate repairs to Field Street after staff reported engineers had approved the work and contractors said they were ready to start, but the project remains on hold pending approval of a change order from the Economic Development Administration (EDA).

Staff told the council the project scope expanded by roughly $600,000 beyond the original $2.5 million estimate, increasing the work to about $3.1 million; the prime contractor and subcontractor were identified in the discussion, and KSA and a geotechnical firm had been involved in planning. The council was told the contractor stands ready to proceed but cannot begin until EDA signs off on the change order.

One council member expressed strong frustration and said they would refuse to vote on other street-contract awards until Fifth Street/Field Street is fixed, arguing the contractor had already been paid and the work was overdue. Staff and other council members said they had been told all parties were ready and urged patience pending EDA’s review; staff also said the project is in agreement and awaiting the funder’s change-order approval.

No new contract awards were made at the meeting; council members described continued follow-up with the EDA, engineering firms, and contractor representatives as the next steps.