Council approves two change orders as city hall renovation team outlines structural, waterproofing work

The Georgetown City Council on July 14 approved two change orders for the city hall renovation project and heard project managers describe structural repairs and exterior waterproofing work that remain to be priced.

The move affects change order No. 8, a credit for construction simplifications, and change order No. 9, an addition for structural stabilization to exterior tower walls. Elizabeth Hunt of the design team told the council the work that prompted change order No. 9 is steel “box framing” to sandwich and stabilize two exterior tower walls where cracks were found around the windows.

Why it matters: City staff said the work is intended to stop water infiltration and avoid further structural deterioration at the three‑story tower above the mayor’s office. Officials said timely repairs should reduce future maintenance and help secure the building for public use.

City staff and the design team told council that further masonry repair and exterior waterproofing pricing are pending. Project presenters showed photos of broken brick and silty soils under the sidewalks that have allowed water to filter back to the building. Hunt said the team is pricing two waterproofing options and that new trench drains and sidewalk reconstruction will be used to reduce inflow.

Stacy Clark, the city’s finance director, described the current project accounting. Project change orders to date total $307,714.92, she said; the remaining construction contingency shown by staff was $467,326.33 at the time of the presentation. Project staff also said the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) in the contract remains at approximately $12.4 million before adjustments for historic tax credits.

Council members pressed for schedule detail. The project team said the current target for substantial completion is Sept. 9, 2025, but that outstanding change orders and pricing could affect the date. The team warned that schedule movement depends on rapid pricing and execution of the remaining scopes, including masonry and waterproofing.

Tax-credit financing: Staff described the city’s use of federal historic tax credits to reduce net project cost. Project staff said a tax-credit value previously cited at $1.6 million will reduce the city’s net outlay; finance staff also noted an earlier, approximate figure of $1.8 million referenced during discussion. Officials explained the city is selling the credits to a financial institution under a purchase agreement; final proceeds will be paid after the Kentucky Heritage Council approves the project closeout documentation.

Council action: Councilmember Tingle Sames moved approval of change order No. 8 (credit); the motion passed. Council later moved and approved change order No. 9 (structural stabilization). No council member requested additional public readings before those votes.

Looking ahead: Staff said three additional change orders are in development — additional masonry work, removal of asphalt paving from this contract (to be handled as a separate paving partnership with the county), and exterior waterproofing — and that their scopes and prices will be brought to council when available. The project team asked to keep a contingency reserve of roughly $200,000–$300,000 to cover furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) procurement.

The full contract documents and the project presentation are available in the city clerk’s office and in the project packet filed with the council.