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City moves ahead on community-center renovations; sewer lining and sprinkler certifications included
Summary
Council approved change orders and contract actions to address chronic sewer problems at community centers, finish restroom upgrades and accept substantial completion of a sprinkler system; staff described sewer lining and tunneling methods to fix cast-iron piping.
The City Council on Tuesday approved change orders and took actions intended to complete renovations at multiple community centers, addressing persistent sewer blockages, finishing restroom upgrades and certifying a completed sprinkler system.
City staff presented change order number 2 for an American Rescue Plan Act-funded project covering community-center and Bank Avenue restroom upgrades. Staff described a sewer pipe-lining approach — removing fixtures, descaling cast-iron pipes with a flex-shaft device, jet-flushing debris and inserting an inflated polymer liner that forms a new pipe inside the old one. Staff said some locations may require short tunneling runs to access problem sections.
“It’s a sewer pipe lining system…kinda like when you have a stent in your arteries,” a city staff member explained during the presentation. The staff member said terracotta lines at Sierra Gates did not require the lining method, and that the work would not reline the terracotta run; instead crews will line the front and back restroom runs where cast iron was scoped and found to have scaling and low spots.
Staff estimated the larger restroom phases could be finished this fall, with one back-bathroom phase at MLK to reopen in a few weeks. The council approved the change order and was told the contractor estimates roughly 14 working days per building for the lining operation, plus time for fixtures, tile and finishing.
Separately, the council approved a certificate of substantial completion for the Sierra Gates sprinkler system project after an inspection with the state fire marshal. City staff said the city will arrange for an updated occupancy determination tied to the new sprinkler and alarm system upgrades.
Why it matters: The restroom, sewer and sprinkler work affects frequently used community facilities — including shelter space used by the Red Cross during hurricanes — and staff said the work would reduce chronic maintenance burdens and improve safety and accessibility.
What’s next: Staff will track punch-list work, verify warranty terms with contractors, coordinate any tunneling needs, and pursue final occupancy reviews with the state fire marshal.
