When the renovation of the area between City Hall and the Amphitheater, including major improvements to the Amphitheater stage itself, were approved late in 2017 and early 2018, the hope was all would be complete by June 1 of this year. But Myers Construction has encountered weather issues resulting in 25 lost construction days in 2018.
As a result, the project is behind schedule. The Board of Public Works and Safety approved an overtime request Monday afternoon to spend up to $184,372 in overtime and supplemental work to hopefully have the northern section of the plans, including the Amphitheater stage, done by July 13. That date is not set in stone, but the overtime hours will speed up the completion date.
However, the renovation of the pavilion building, which will contain additional rest room facilities, and the area between the pavilion and City Hall, will continue to be under construction on July 13.
“As we looked at all the things we have contractually obligated, based on concerts and what it would cost for stage rental and things of that nature, we actually think that this is a smart return on investment to try to get this thing done, so that we don’t have to continue to pay for additional manpower, additional rental equipment or even look at canceling concerts,” Mayor Scott Fadness said.
The mayor says he is “hopeful” this additional funding will get the project over the hump, citing “substantial progress” in the construction work over the last two to three weeks.
The money will come from current appropriations.