EDITOR’S NOTE: Through the end of this year, the Tacoma Daily Index will feature its annual “Year In Review” series, which recaps an important story covered earlier this year in the newspaper according to reader interest on our Web site. Enjoy!
Tacoma City Council approved a purchase resolution in October that directed more than half-a-million dollars toward repairing a downtown Tacoma building severely damaged during a rain storm last fall.
The 112-year-old building, located at 2308 South Holgate Street in Tacoma’s Brewery District, has served as a warehouse and workshop for the City of Tacoma’s public works streets and grounds division. A large section of the roof collapsed into the center of the building in November of last year due to heavy rainfall, causing damage to the interior and exterior facade.
An emergency declaration was declared and the city, its insurance provider and Belfor Property Restoration worked together to make sure the building was stabilized, debris was removed, city property was recovered, and testing and abatement of hazardous materials was completed, according to city officials. In addition, temporary scaffolding was erected to support a temporary plastic roof.
The city hired Tacoma-based BCRA Design to draw up the final plans for repairs, which were submitted to the city in June.
A request for bids was solicited in July and four companies responded: Jones & Roberts Company of Olympia, Wash. — $429,000; Beisley, Inc. of Belfair, Wash. — $440,488.32; Pease Construction, Inc. of Lakewood, Wash. — $461,740; and Lincoln Construction, Inc. of Spanaway, Wash. — $466,569.
The purchase resolution approved by councilmembers authorizes a $514,800 contract to be awarded to Jones & Roberts Company to install a new roof structure over part of the building, replace the remaining roof, complete repairs to the interior drywall and paint, replace damaged flooring, repair electrical and fire protection systems, and replace existing high bay lighting with energy efficient lighting fixtures.
Repairs began in October and are expected to be completed in January.
The contract amount reflects a base award of $429,000, plus a 20 per cent contingency due to the age of the building and the possibility of discovering additional repairs. Funding is covered under the city’s insurance policy after a $100,000 deductible.
