Would You Spend $7,500 on an Outdoor Grill And Sink? No? Well Highland Park Planned to.
Since its town hall renovation project came in nearly $4 million over budget, Highland Park officials have stuck their brains together, trying to figure out ways to drop that cost.
On Tuesday afternoon, officials presented a list to councilmembers of “modifications” that, if implemented, would reduce the cost. Ready for some fun?
Upon first glance, there’s a lot of technical stuff that might change: $230,000 cranes, standard in lieu of custom wood moldings, the elimination of a conference room. We’ll get to that stuff. First, though, let’s talk about outdoor patios.
Jump with me, if you want to live:
Scanning through the documents, one specific change jumped out at me, because, I thought, “Sheesh, why is this in there to begin with?” That entry would be “Delete gas line, grill, stainless steel counter and sink at Terrace.” Estimated cost savings? $7,500.
Thinking back, I remembered the conversation. The terrace could be used for DPS officers and HP employees, for cookouts, hobnobs, bing-bongs, and whatever other shindigs they might have. Currently they have a grill on a rooftop, as you’ve seen in the above photo.
Now I realize, in an $18 million project, $7,500 isn’t the greatest sum. But make your own assessment.
As for the rest of the project, here are some of the rest of their proposed cuts, which could tally $1.25 million in savings:
- reallocate fire alarm allowance in electrical package ($175,000)
- take bids on fire alarm in lieu of DIR (Department of Information Resources) pricing ($80,000)
- change quartz countertops to alternate material, except in restrooms ($20,000)
- redesign sally-port gates to standard gates ($5,500) (they were originally going to have HP emblazoned on them, per town administrator Bill Lindley)
- provide ceramic tile wainscot on wet walls/side walls of restrooms, all other walls painted ($15,047)
- Wood material alternates – red oak in lieu of white oak ($250,000) (Ed. note- Is this an entire forest of trees? $250,000 in savings?)
- Standard in lieu of custom wood moldings ($100,000)
- Delete tower crane requirement ($230,000)
That last one, though, brings a whole other cost-benefit analysis. Without the tower crane, the town runs the risk of losing its two old-growth trees in front of town hall. The cost to replace just one of those trees? $50,000.
Check out all the documents for yourself. I made a few notes in the margins during the meeting; hope you don’t mind.
I actually think $7.500 isn’t a bad price if installation comes with it. Those grills can cost the price of a brand new car. Say what you will, but the shopped around and got a good bid anyway.
Try a grill from Home Depot.. $150.00 or use the same grill in the picture. That could save a fast $7350.
Will Beecherl seems to have some good ideas, maybe others should listen instead of rushing. Should not have signed the lease so fast until you lined your ducks up.
Don’t cut corners!! Pay now or pay later. Look north.