Oklahoma County project managers report minor contamination at behavioral care center; several capital projects face weather and asbestos delays

Oklahoma County staff reported a minor contamination discovery at the behavioral care center site and said the material will be removed and replaced using on-site stock, while multiple capital projects continue to move forward despite weather and asbestos-related delays.

County project manager Bill (staff member) told the Infrastructure meeting on May 23 that testing found a "very limited" hydrocarbon plume in one area of the behavioral care center parking lot and that staff are preparing a change order to remove the contaminated material and reinstall material already on site. "It was considered minor in its discovery, and the plume area was limited," Bill said.

The finding prompted no change in the county’s decision to continue construction, Bill said. He and other staff also described schedule slippage: heavy rainfall has forced the project team to grant rain days for April and likely May, and asbestos abatement and corresponding change orders have pushed some completion dates. "Probably something like 30 days, I would think," Bill said when asked how many days the schedule had been pushed back.

Why this matters: the behavioral care center site is funded and tracked as part of the county’s capital program; contamination removals and abatement can add cost and delay occupancy timelines. Staff told the committee they would pursue the contamination removal via change order and use on-site material to restore the area.

Most of the county’s elevator work is progressing, staff said. Bill said all elevators have been ordered and the county is completing final reviews of interior finishes. He said Tradesman Architectural submitted the originally designed finishes for review and that the fifth-floor interior is moving toward completion. "The contractual end date is moved into March, April time frame, but the progress shows it's still on February," Bill said, noting an extension was granted for additional asbestos abatement and an electrical change order.

Contractor work at the annex and the existing jail also was discussed. Bill said annex first-floor abatement is complete and the second abatement contractor's Sheetrock work was scheduled to be finished "later this evening or tomorrow." Work on the thirteenth floor of the existing jail is "moving very quickly," he added, and the county is reviewing a vendor proposal on freeze-thaw effects at mechanical units.

The county has adjusted some interior finishes at the sheriff’s office elevator at the sheriff’s request, removing a handrail and installing pads the office requested, Bill said. He also confirmed a west doorway at the project site is ready except for a delayed aluminum door: "We're waiting on the door. It's been ordered," Bill said, citing current delays in aluminum materials.

The Infrastructure Committee received the report by motion and vote to formally "receive" the update; committee members asked staff to return with additional details at the next meeting. Actions taken at the meeting were procedural (motions to receive reports) and did not authorize additional appropriations in the recorded discussion.

Committee members also discussed the Citizens Oversight Advisory Board, which held a lengthy meeting the prior week. A committee member said the Oversight Board was upset that an anticipated sales tax vote did not occur this spring and that the board intends to reiterate its recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners. The Oversight Board also requested participation in selecting the behavioral care center vendor because it oversees funds originally within the board’s purview.

What’s next: staff said they will bring back revised estimates and vendor advice, including for a possible redesign of a persistent alley gate operator and other items previously flagged for replacement. For the behavioral care center, staff said the contamination removal will be handled by change order and that scheduling updates will be provided at the next meeting.

Sources: Comments and summaries provided by Bill (staff member) and other staff during the Oklahoma County Infrastructure Committee meeting on May 23, 2025.