HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002 04 30 Other Handout by Kangee Graham
APRIL 30, 2002
HAND OUT BY KANGEE GRAHAM.
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April 25, 2002
TLBD Advisory Board
Though I see this project overall as a success and recognize that there are ongoing
negotiations, punch lists and improvements still to come; I feel that there are a few areas
of concern that should be addressed immediately.
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Other than the numerous problems associated with the brick subcontractor's
quality of workmanship and continued use of said contractor, I see three other major
areas of concern. First, the continued use of heavy equipment around trees and under
drip lines needs to stop. Cathcart Contracting is already experiencing the fall out of tree
damage along Winter Springs Boulevard after use of heavy equipment. Photographs'
taken at time of initial clearing and grading show damage to roots and tree shock. And
yet, they continue to operate in the same manner around the oaks and pines at the main
entrance. This has been witnessed by both the Architect as well as the City Arborist.
Verbal communication with members of the Contractor as well as members of the City
and Architect Firm has had little impact to remedy these concerns.
The Contractor has been informed numerous occasions both on-site as well as in
the contractor meetings that once a pattern of dead trees is established, they will be held
accountable for damages. They continued to clear medians after they saw the pines go
into shock with large equipment. Although a token effort was made to use a sod cutter on
island #10 due to large berms, work quickly resume to large machinery and scraping tree
roots, as evident in photos taken. Cathcart has been informed that if trees die at front
entrance, replacement costs could run $7,000.00 to $10,000.00 each tree.
Secondly, in regards to issues of drainage of the ponds and surrounding property I
can only wish that site elevations had been verified prior to start of construction and after
Seminole County roadwork had begun. Since this cannot be remedied easily at this point,
I would hope that every is being made to help the finished product appear to fit within the
site and that drainage of both ponds and land be scrutinized for performance. I feel that
any further swells will only accentuate the elevation differences between County and City
Projects.
Finally, the quality of workmanship that has gone into the cap of the ponds has
little to be desired. Every effort was made on my part to have this item rejected on
workmanship at time of installation and yet step continued on pond building. Damage
continues to be cast upon this concrete and patches should be unacceptable! I know there
are concerns about maintenance feasibility of these ponds and possibly a filtration system
can be installed in future years if needed. I feel that the overall product at this point
where the cap meets the shot Crete and the cap itself cannot be accepted in their present
state. Maybe a cantilevered edge or bull nosed water-line tiles can help the situation.
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My recommendations to the Advisory Board would be to bring in an independent
engineer to evaluate the last two concerns. In regards to the tree concerns, I would
expect no less than that the City and the Architect to hold the Contractor liable for any
and all damages seen immediately as well as over the next one to two years depending on
the size of the Oak.
Sincerely,
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Kangee Graham
TLBD Consultant
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