ETH Elevator Project For Town Hall Continues To Draw Tough Scrutiny

By Kendra Bobowick

Some of Jay Gill’s first words after the Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers unanimously elected him as its chairman Tuesday were, “I usually give people enough rope.”

Mr Gill’s comment resonated later in the meeting during architect Alan Black’s terse report at the latest Board of Managers’ meeting.

What Mr Gill and other board members anticipated would be a “beautiful elevator project” incorporating collateral improvements and enhanced disability access to the 75-year-old Edmond Town Hall (ETH) is both out of time and over budget. The project also has been plagued for months by unanticipated delays. That unlucky streak continued this week as disagreements blossomed out of discussions on molding, paint, water, and railings.

Mr Black, who is also serving as the project manager for what is commonly referred to as the “elevator project,” was the subject of stern commentary from former ETH Trustee Marie Sturdevant during the public comment portion of the meeting just prior to the architect’s arrival at the session Tuesday evening.

Ms Sturdevant, who resigned from the board preceding a move to Brookfield, said she was, “Once again livid,” after reading last week’s Newtown Bee report about further setbacks in the project. She referred to the latest problems as “unforgivable.” As she was completing her remarks, Mr Black arrived, giving Ms Sturdevant an opportunity to direct her criticism and ask for some answers.

“I am dismayed and disgusted at what has happened. It’s unforgivable,” she said.

“Why is that?” Mr Black asked.

“You assured us there was not a problem, and there was,” she replied referencing The Bee report.

Mr Black said that the newspaper did not attempt to contact him. (A phone number provided to The Bee by Mr Black went unanswered on numerous attempts to contact him preceding the January 6 article. A message on the phone’s answering system stated that the line had a voicemail box that was not activated.)

Ms Sturdevant told Mr Black that she was not going to argue with him.

“I am not here to defend you or The Bee. I just want the board [members] to know that I support [them] in this matter.” The exchange between Ms Sturdevant and Mr Black set a tone for further discussion.

“Basically, the contractor is finishing loose ends right now,” Mr Black said. “I was supposed to meet with the contractor today [Tuesday] but there was some confusion, they were not there.”

He next reported that “basically” crews were “just taking care of what needs to be done.”

However, several problems came to light as Black issued his report.

Specifically, trustees referenced concerns about the elevator recently failing its initial state inspection. The failure, in part because of water discovered in the elevator’s foundation pit, will apparently require further work stretching the project budget beyond an estimated $1 million-plus financed by a combination of municipal tax dollars and state grant money.

Mr Black told the trustees that waterproofing will cost roughly $2,900. The project has also incurred additional inspection fees at an estimated $1,700, Mr Black said.

Color schemes for one of the new common area’s coat of paint was another point of contention. According to the trustees, the final choice of colors deviated from the board’s plan.

After some volleying, board member Sandy Motyka said, “Mr Black, we have all heard many times what the board has instructed you to do — to keep the look and feel of the existing building, the new addition is supposed to keep that spirit.”

A blue and white scheme adorns town hall walls, except for one room. The new common area, however, strays from this blue and white scheme and is all white, which drew angry comments from some board members.

Kathleen Madzula pointedly asked Mr Black why decisions were “made without the board. I don’t feel there was room to make decisions arbitrarily.”

 “I could turn that around,” Mr Black said.

Mr Gill said, “We told you numerous times that we want to match the rest of the building. You chose not to do so. We expressly told you to keep it the same. You chose not to.”

Ms Madzula asked Mr Black, “So why do we have to pay?”

He answered, “That [paint] decision was made without me.”

Building Superintendent Clark Kathan then spoke up, saying, “I made the decision because I thought it broadened the room.” Mr Kathan then explained that he thought the molding was the wrong size.

Ms Madzula jumped in asking the architect, “So why are we paying for a mistake that should not have been made?” Mr Gill added, “You were told many times to keep everything the same. Correct?”

Mr Black replied, “We have been over that, and I am not answering it again.”

Demanding an explanation, Ms Motyka insisted, “We deserve an answer.”

No one spoke for several moments.

Ms Motyka continued, “That’s not a satisfactory answer, Mr Black.”

 “What would you like me to say?” he responded.

After another lengthy pause Mr Black stood, asking, “Anything else? I consider myself done then.” He then left the meeting.

Later in the meeting during his report to the board, Mr Kathan said, “Mr Black walking out is a prime example of what I’ve had to deal with, and as far as the molding…he still insisted he was going to make it all white. Now I know why. He was going to hide all his mistakes because of problems with the molding.”

The board members pointed out that almost every room in town hall has a blue and white scheme.

Mr Kathan continued saying, “As far as the elevator pit, he was told it had to be built a certain way and he refused to listen.”

Ms Motyka continued to express her disappointment to the board.

“We wanted to take this building — not easily [handicap] accessible — and make it completely accessible in the most optimum way and here we are. I don’t think we’re getting what we paid for,” she said.

Concurring with a nod, Mr Gill said, “I have to agree with that, but right now we’re stuck.”

Mr Kathan noted, “Until we find out who is at fault we need to do what we must for a CO [certificate of occupancy].”

Ms Motyka then asked about the walkways, and if they complied with guidelines set by the Americans With Disabilities Act. Mr Kathan believes that they “meet code” and Mr Gill said, “I sincerely hope so.”

Mr Kathan assured the board that “reinspection should reveal compliance.”

Ms Motyka continued to express her disappointment and frustration with the overall scope of the project.

“We have lost sight of our original directives,” she said. “Our vision was to have this addition be optimum for the handicapped. From the outset, over and over and over we directed people on the project to keep this as close to the existing building as possible.

“Over and over again we have told people on this project to get this done in a timely manner, and now that’s totally blown out of the water.”

Several questions circulated regarding why the Board of Managers failed in the past to consider retaining another architect, and regarding the adequacy of Mr Black’s constructions plans.

Vouching for the architect, Mr Gill explained that plans passed muster for “code and ADA compliance.”

He said, “He showed us the plans, then submitted them to various commissions, they went through Planning and Zoning.”

The new chairman confirmed that all basic plans were approved and “absolutely” checked for ADA compliance.

Following the meeting, Mr Gill told The Bee he was able to overlook Tuesday’s heated meeting with Mr Black, saying, “I do not want to say anything to hurt Mr Black.”

However, Mr Gill did confirm that “[MrBlack] did make some decisions and changes that were not authorized.”

Mr Gill was reluctant to reply to questions about why the board had stuck with Mr Black despite its dissatisfaction with his work, but answered, “In retrospect we could have considered more options.” At the project’s outset, the board needed “an architect of record.”

Mr Gill ended the conversation on a positive note.

“Once the walkway and railings and everything are finished and once the water problem is rectified we will have a beautiful, functioning elevator,” he said. “The board wants this over with.”