The Courier of Montgomery County reports that, because of design problems, Conroe will spend more than $850,000 to have their $35 million Oscar Johnson Jr. Community Center fixed.
According to Assistant City Administrator and Director of Community Development, Nancy Mikeska, the design by Burditt Consultants didn’t have important electrical elements which are required by Entergy Texas.
She said the current electrical system cannot be turned on because it lacks the amps required to provide the needed power for the building.
It was expected that the center would open this month, but the opening date has been pushed forward to 2025.
During a city workshop, Charles Burditt spoke in defense of his company, and said the blame should be with the crews on the worksite for lack of communication.
During Thursday’s council meeting, Burditt said, “We aren’t responsible when it doesn’t get told to somebody further up the chain.”
In July 2023 the city broke ground on the new center. Construction, however, was stopped because of electrical problems, and the city is paying $3,200 each day for the delay to Brookstone Construction.
Vice President for Brookstone, Max Montegut, said “We bid and build what is on the contracts.”
Legal recourse has been discussed by Interim City Attorney Mike Garner and City Administrator Gary Scott. Garner said, however, the city needed to move the project forward.
He said, at present they needed to alleviate the issues that occurred or didn’t occur that will cause damage to the building. He added that if they don’t act now, the risk becomes greater.
