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Montgomery County EDA approves $62,000 pump-station study as Falling Branch construction falls behind schedule
Summary
The Montgomery County Economic Development Authority approved a proposal to study and size a pump station for Falling Branch Corporate Park Lot 2 (up to $62,000) after staff reported construction delays on a $2.8 million contract, a $300-per-day contract penalty that could begin Feb. 3, and a payment application of $107,001.45.
The Montgomery County Economic Development Authority on a voice vote approved entering a contract to perform a pump-station study for Falling Branch Corporate Park Phase 2, Lot 2, with a study budget capped at $62,000.
Staff told the board that the contractor on the $2,800,000 contract, which began work April 29, 2024, has missed portions of the original timetable and that weather and seasonal asphalt-plant closures have pushed substantial completion from late December into early 2025 and possibly as late as June 30, 2025. Speaker 5, EDA staff, reported that the contract carries a $300-per-day penalty after Feb. 3, 2025, and that staff will send a letter notifying the contractor that it is not substantially complete under the original schedule.
"So staff recommends performing the pump station study and installing the pump station," Speaker 5 said, explaining that the study will size a station to serve up to 1,000 employees, using an average estimate of 25 gallons per employee per day. Staff estimated the eventual pump station construction could cost "approximately $300,000," but cautioned bids are needed for a precise figure.
The board also reviewed recent payment activity. Speaker 5 said the current payment application (number 6) is for $107,001.45 and has been approved by the engineer for the listed line items, which include grading, erosion and sediment control, and installation of fiber-conduit infrastructure.
Board members questioned ownership, long-term operations and liability for a station the EDA would own if constructed. "The economic development authority is going to own the facility," Speaker 5 said, and staff said they had asked the Town of Christiansburg to consider taking the forcemain to reduce EDA maintenance responsibilities.
The motion to approve the study was moved by Speaker 1 and seconded by Speaker 7; members approved it by voice vote.
The study will be funded from county CIP dollars and, if the study recommends construction, staff said the EDA would follow normal procurement and contracting steps before any capital commitment by the authority.
