Completion of public works building to be delayed

CEDAR RAPIDS — Heavy rain on April 13 undermined several footings at the construction site of the public works department's new City Services Center, 500 15th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids officials said Thursday.

As a result, about 15 of the building's prefabricated concrete panels will need to be disassembled and some foundations removed and replaced.

Maria Johnson, communications division manager, said the city estimates that the repairs will cost about $200,000 and will delay the project by about four weeks.

The city's builder risk insurance has a $600,000 deductible, Johnson said.

She said the problem happened after five inches of rain fell April 13, three inches of which came down in 3 hours. At the time, part of the building's roof was under construction, and water was channeled to a relatively small area of the construction site, she said.

She said the project contractor, Miron Construction Co., was at the site April 13 and 'took precautions as they could' to prevent additional damage.

The city then asked Miron to check all the footings in the impacted area for damage, and some foundations showed more than acceptable settling, Johnson said.

The public works operation and some other city departments moved into the office part of the new building last September. The construction repairs need to be made to the large warehouse part of the project, which should be ready to be occupied by August.

The total project cost is about $36 million.

l Comments: (319) 398-8312; rick.smith@sourcemedia.net