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Council approves $126,314 masonry contract for Glengarry work despite cost concerns
Summary
Council approved a $126,314 contract with Building Restoration Corporation (plus $10,000 contingency and $3,500 for matching bricks) for Glengarry restoration; the vote passed 3-2 after councilors expressed concern about total program spending and alternatives with preservation groups.
Council pulled consent item 5p for separate consideration after Councilor Delaney asked for details on costs and phases. Staff explained the original general-contractor estimate and the city's approach to reduce cost by managing more of the work in-house and using Building Restoration Corporation for masonry and brick matching.
Councilor Whiting moved to award the contract to Building Restoration Corporation for $126,314, with a $10,000 contingency and an additional $3,500 for matching, to complete masonry work for the Glengarry project. Council discussion focused on cumulative costs: councilors noted prior expenditures for property acquisition and demolition and questioned whether the city was over-investing in a structure they estimated to have far lower market value. One councilor said they had wanted the historic-preservation group to manage the building; others said the approach saves contingency and overhead by limiting a general-contractor markup.
After discussion the motion passed on a 3-2 vote. Council minutes reflect the tally as "3 to 2 passes." The council gave direction for cost control and noted that staff will continue to manage phases to remain as close to the $1.7 million budget as possible.
