The Valparaiso Board of Works approved three change orders to the Downstone Street downtown streetscape contract to cover additional mobilization, unforeseen underground work and a change in planter size. The engineering department recommended approval, and the board voted to carry the motion.

Engineering department staff Max said, "Change order 2 was for an additional mobilization charge in the amount of $41,267" and that change order 3 covered unforeseen underground construction delays in the amount of $49,152. Max said change order 4 was for material costs tied to swapping to a larger planter size consistent with prior downtown installations. He told the board the total contract increase was "thousand $613.45."

The engineering presentation noted change orders 2 and 4 will be paid from the Redevelopment Commission (RDC) funds and that change order 3 will be paid from sanitary sewer and stormwater funds; Max said the RDC and the utility board had approved the respective funding. The board moved and unanimously approved the three change orders.

The approval follows the engineering department's recommendation that the contract be increased to accommodate work extending into 2025 and material substitutions meant to match existing downtown fixtures. The board did not alter funding sources during the vote.

Board action: motion to approve the three change orders carried unanimously; no amendments were proposed.

Looking ahead, the engineering department will proceed under the revised contract and follow the RDC and utility board funding directions previously described.