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Commission approves $449,139 increase to Winchester Avenue project; commissioner voices oversight concerns
Summary
The Board approved a $449,139 change order for the Winchester Avenue improvements project. One commissioner criticized the project for cost overruns and urged stronger oversight; supporters noted project awards and downtown benefits.
Commissioners approved Change Order No. 3 for the Winchester Avenue improvements project on April 24, increasing the contract by $449,139, a change that meeting remarks characterized as roughly a 7% increase over the original contract price.
During discussion one commissioner — speaking from the dais — asked colleagues to consider project oversight after describing the project as "an inch from being a disaster," citing lawsuits, cost overruns and the scale of the investment in downtown infrastructure. The commissioner said the project represents an approximately $8 million downtown investment and urged improved oversight for future, larger projects.
Other commissioners and staff did not register formal objections on the record to the change order; the motion passed by voice vote. A meeting comment also noted the project had received an award and was visually impactful downtown during the holiday season, but the same speaker said the visible benefits had yet to show a measurable return on investment.
The engineering department will proceed with the approved change order and contract administration. Commissioners asked staff to ensure appropriate oversight and monitoring as the city advances other large projects in the coming months.
