Renovations could run over $3 million, city officials learn
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on October 27, 2006 1:54 PM
A general increase in cost for supplies, transportation and petroleum products is expected to push the cost of renovation and restoration of Goldsboro's original City Hall over $3 million -- at least, architect Grimsley Hobbs told City Council members this week.
"Our latest budget, which we think contains everything we know about at this point, exceeds the $2.5 million," Hobbs said.
Hobbs said based on the most recent update on construction costs his firm has received, the price of most metals and petroleum products has increased by 15 percent, which translates to roughly $350,000 for Phase II of the City Hall project.
"Over the past year, there have been general cost increases for construction," he said, adding these increases seem to cover the gamut.
Other factors also will contribute to the necessity to spend as much as $1 million more than officials originally intended, he added.
Several items were added to the project after the budget was approved and have not yet been included.
The most significant additions include acoustic modifications to the council chamber, a security system with metal detectors, a potential elevator upgrade and a lead-based paint abatement.
Money also will be needed to replace the front steps, Hobbs said. Currently, he estimates that change alone might cost $75,000.
The original estimate for completion of renovations and restoration work topped out around $2.5 million. The project is the second of a three-phase process that began with the construction of the new City Hall facility on Center Street and also includes demolition of the city's annex building -- which happened earlier this month -- to make way for a parking lot to better accommodate residents and staff downtown.
Council members made no decision Monday on allocation of the additional funds, but are expected to take action before bids for construction go out later this year.