TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Council OKs Architect Settlement

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 8, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - It was much less than they wanted, but better than nothing at all.

The New Port Richey City Council on Tuesday night voted unanimously to approve a settlement with the architect of the new recreation and aquatics center for $141,032 to recoup design flaws.

Under terms of the pact, Harper, Aiken, Donahue and Partners of St. Petersburg admits no fault or liability for problems with the $14.1 million complex's deficiencies.

The agreement seeks to resolve problems with the center's bathrooms, which were not close enough to the pools to meet state health codes, that cost the city $260,000.

The new complex, built mostly with redevelopment money borrowed on future property tax revenue, was billed as the largest capital improvement project in the city's history.

In June, then-City Manager Scott Miller issued a memo saying the architect had made "numerous errors" on the project's design that cost the city upwards of $500,000.

At the time, Miller had recommended the city take the firm to court.

But council members urged caution, requesting that city staff pursue a possible out-of-court settlement.

Christian M. Wade

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT