County looks for money for new concrete at old jail site

MARENGO — Iowa County will have to reschedule some projects to find nearly $30,000 to install concrete and a new drainage system where the old jail used to stand.

Brian Miller, of Miller Excavating, told to the Board of Supervisors Nov. 15 that the area needs to be graded, it needs new concrete and it needs a new drain.

County Supervisor Alan Schmacher said the contractor should have foreseen the problems.

“I think the initial concrete was done as if the jail was going to remain,” said Miller.

“Now that it’s gone what you’re left with is a little bit of a mess with that ledge being there, the elevation dropping down,” said Miller.

And the surface drain is not sufficient for the area it covers now, Miller said.

Miller said he would finish the project as stipulated in his original contract with the county, but that isn’t what’s best for the property in the long-term. He presented a drawing of plans he felt would better meet the county’s needs.

The new proposal “allows us to tear it all out and redo it and surface drain it. so we’ll do away with that area drain, just make it a clean out, and we’ll surface drain it out the alley down to the intake to the city storm sewer,” said Miller.

The concrete will cost $10.49 per square feet, less than the bid of $13.19 per square foot for the initial project, but the county will need more concrete because of the additional scope of the project.

“I know that drain has to freeze,” said Miller. It has water in it all the time. “It’s just not a good situation for longevity and maintenance.”

In addition to drainage problems on the lot, the ledge left after the demolition of the old jail is a tripping hazard, said Supervisor Kevin Heitshusen.

“This levels everything out,” said Miller of his proposal. “It has a 1% slope on it. … It’s the right way to do it. It’s not the least expensive way.”

Miller will have to take out part of the new concrete that was poured earlier, about 20-feet by 30-feet.

“It really bums me out,” said Schumacher. “I’m not a professional, but that entity is. That should have been recognized.”

“We knew the jail was going to get removed,” said Schumacher.

Heitshusen said that supervisors were flipping back and forth as to whether to tear down the jail or leave it. But the concrete hadn’t been poured at the time they decided to team down the jail.

“I don’t think it dawned on anybody at that point in time,” said Miller. “Bushong [Construction] probably drew the plan up thinking the jail was going to stay.” It should have been adjusted.

Schumacher wondered if the county had any recourse because of the general contractor didn’t foresee the problem.

“It is his responsibility or is it our responsibility to tell him?” asked Supervisor Jon Degen.

Miller said he thinks Bushong would argue that the project will work as it’s drawn up. “But it’s not ideal for the county long-term,” said Miller.

“I think it’s partially our fault,” said Heitshusen.

But the supervisors aren’t contractors, said Degen. “We wouldn’t see the problem like [Miller] would.”

“It’s just, it’s aggravating,” said Schumacher.

Miller said everything went through John Bushong except the jail demolition, which the county handled itself.

The west half of the lot is in really bad shape, and that’s what Miller will be replacing, he said. He’ll won’t have to tear out the new sidewalk.

Miller thinks he can finish the project before the end of the year.

But does the county have the money?

The additional paving demo is estimated at $3,226, and additional six-inch reinforced concrete will cost about $19,488. With additional fill, intake adjustment and paving backfill, the project changes will cost the county $28,200.

If concrete blankets are needed, the county could pay up to $3,600 more.

“We’d have to cut some projects out,” said Building Maintenance Director Dylan Healey. The county may have to put off painting the jail.

The old jail site is a safety hazard, said Schumacher. “One broken ankle doubles that $28,000.”

“We’re just going to have to change some projects around,” said Heitshusen.

Supervisors Heitshusen, Degen, Schumacher and Chris Montross approved the expenditure. Supervisor Abigail Maas was absent.