Hammond redevelopment commission approves Prostar flooring contract for Sportsplex with $30,000 change order expected

The Hammond Redevelopment Commission on Sept. 2 approved an agreement with Prostar for sport flooring work at the Hammond Sportsplex, voting 5-0 to authorize execution of the contract and noting a forthcoming $30,000 change order.

Commissioners were told the work covers hardwood in the renovated indoor courts and turf in the expansion area. City staff said a dispute over which party would provide the aggregate base under the turf led to the additional cost; staff said the extra $30,000 will come from the project's contingency.

"This bid price was some $150,000 less than the next low bidder," said Dean Button, city engineer, explaining why staff recommended moving forward with Prostar despite the change order. Button added, "there's about $220,000 worth of contingency right now ... the $30,000 will come from that so we'll have about a $190,000 left" in contingency.

Button told the commission staff had negotiated corrective action with the contractor to resolve the dispute over the aggregate and that approving the contract now would not put the overall project over budget. The commission's motion to approve the agreement was made and seconded; a roll-call vote recorded five "yes" votes and the measure passed.

The approval authorizes staff to execute the Prostar agreement and anticipates a single change order related to aggregate for the turf. No additional vendor or alternate contract was proposed during the discussion.

The commission's vote follows staff updates during the same meeting that described several ongoing redevelopment projects and listed available contingencies and funding sources for current projects.