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Cramerton commissioners decline to approve Change Order #4 for downtown parking lot, direct staff to negotiate
Summary
The board postponed approval of Change Order #4 for the downtown parking project after commissioners raised design and cost concerns; staff was directed to negotiate with LaBella Associates and flag further details for the board before any vote.
The Cramerton Board of Commissioners declined to approve Change Order #4 for the downtown parking lot project at its Jan. 19 meeting and instructed town staff to negotiate terms with LaBella Associates on the boards behalf.
Town Manager Zach Ollis and Assistant Town Manager Josh Watkins outlined Change Order #4 as addressing safety and accessibility at the Eighth Avenue driveway, stormwater drainage improvements, maintaining ADA accessibility for sidewalks and the lot, and creating a construction driveway needed to install plaza shade poles. Finance Director Jeff Wilkins told the board the projects estimated budget is about $1,160,291, roughly $60,356 over the original budget because of additional engineering costs; Wilkins confirmed that figure does not include any cost from Change Order #4.
Danny Watson of LaBella Associates reviewed the projects history, explaining that initial designs used existing conditions before adjacent building designs were completed and that a long-term remedy would likely require raising Eighth Avenue to meet ADA grades. Commissioners pressed LaBella on why the design did not account for the current driveway grades and drainage. Commissioner Atkinson said he was not ready to vote and requested a site meeting with engineers and contractors; Commissioner Helms and Commissioner Kincaid also expressed concerns and assigned partial responsibility for the mismatch to the engineering firm.
Mayor Nelson Wills said he wants the project completed promptly and asked staff and LaBella to move quickly toward a solution. Attorney Karen Wolter explained staffs next steps would not include the board setting a dollar threshold at this time. The board did not approve Change Order #4 during the meeting and instead directed staff to negotiate acceptable terms with LaBella Associates and return to the board with details before any formal approval.
The board also asked LaBella to remove orange plastic fencing along Center Street to make clear the lot is open. No formal vote or motion to approve the change order was recorded; the boards instruction was procedural direction to staff rather than a binding contract action.
