PORT ANGELES — The contractor on the city’s downtown esplanade project will get paid the final amount due on the project now that City Council members have accepted the work as complete.
Carlsborg-based Primo Construction, however, still will be responsible for fixing vertical cracks that have appeared in the colored tiles affixed to the esplanade’s seating areas, said Nathan West, the city’s community and economic development director.
“It is also fully expected that they do implement and follow through with any warranty-related issues,” West said.
“We have sent an official warranty notice to the contractor.”
The repairs will come at no cost to the city, officials have said.
The council approved a final payment of $165,292.95 to Primo on Tuesday night.
Cracked tiles
West and other city staff became aware of the cracked tiles on the $4.09 million project after Councilwoman Sissi Bruch raised other concerns — reddish stains she had seen on railings and white residue on some surfaces — that city staff determined to be maintenance matters.
Corey Delikat, the city’s parks and recreation director, has said his department has been allowed between $8,000 and $10,000 in city funds for a seasonal maintenance worker, expected to start this summer, who would focus on esplanade upkeep.
Before the unanimous vote to release the retainage bond — 5 percent of the total contract amount — to Primo, Bruch referred to the esplanade’s present yearlong warranty and asked whether fixed tiles would be covered for a year after they are repaired.
“That would come out of discussions with Primo, whether they give us an additional warranty for a specific correction,” said Craig Fulton, city public works and utilities director.
The esplanade project, completed in September, consists of a concrete promenade running just over the water parallel to Railroad Avenue, widened sidewalks and improved surfaces of both the avenue and Oak Street.
The city paid about $25,000 in November to add horizontal railings to several step-downs on the esplanade after residents raised safety concerns.
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Reporter Jeremy Schwartz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jschwartz@peninsuladailynews.com.
