Land Bank approves $148,000 change order for 325 Weber Place rehab

The Chemung County Land Bank voted to approve a $148,000 change order for rehabilitation work at 325 Weber Place after contractors uncovered unexpected foundation and utility repairs.

Board members were told the project is about 27.5% complete and that roughly half of the current change-order work is already finished. Contractors described the additional scope as underpinning and saw-cutting the slab perimeter to remove and reconstruct footings, extended excavation labor, and replacement of ductwork, electrical trunking and utility connections that were damaged or crushed when the house was lifted for repairs. One contractor summarized the work as requiring a new trunk from the furnace “all the way up” and additional rebar and floor extension to tie into the reconstructed footings.

The Land Bank’s construction manager said crews had to dig under the structure in tight conditions, which increased excavator hours and labor costs. He reported that some of the added excavation and labor ran about $7,000–$7,500; other items in the change order included replacement of utilities and reattachment work that had been assumed in the original proposal but whose components were found to be damaged.

Board members pressed staff on whether the extra cost would be reimbursable through HOME/CDBG-style home funds. Emma Moran, director of community development for the City of Elmira, told the board that expenses incurred earlier than the program’s eligible date would not qualify: “We wouldn’t be able to use anything earlier than July 1. Any expenses July 1…so ’25, you could see.” She added that environmental reviews completed before July 1 would remain valid for reimbursement, provided all required documentation is in the project file and the state historic preservation (SHPO) clearance is completed where necessary.

Members also noted prior change orders to the project: a June change order of $64,000 was discussed in the meeting as well as base contract adjustments already paid; the new $148,000 change order would be added on top of those amounts. Board members and contractors said rehabilitating the existing structure still appeared less costly than demolishing and building new: one participant estimated new construction could run roughly $280,000 plus $40,000 for demolition, while rehabilitation remained the lower-cost option to return the house to the market.

After discussion the board took a voice vote in favor of the change order. A board member asked the contractor to submit the official change-order paperwork so Land Bank staff could complete the administrative approval steps.

The board’s decision authorizes the contractor to proceed under the newly approved scope; staff said they would pursue any available reimbursements and complete required environmental and historic-preservation filings.

This matter arose under a broader construction update for the Land Bank’s pipeline of rehabs and new builds; board members requested updated cost detail and the final change-order paperwork be included in the project file and presented at the next meeting.