PRESS RELEASE: Town of Speedway and Speedway Redevelopment Commission Rejects 1300 Block Public Plaza Concrete Work
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE TOWN OF SPEEDWAY
August 28, 2023
The Town of Speedway recently provided a progress update of the 1300 Block development and the various improvements surrounding the project, including work to the front sidewalks along Main Street, parking stalls, and the new 1300 Block Public Plaza that will serve as an outdoor area to host community gatherings such as concerts, festivals, and other community events.
Through quality assurance monitoring, multiple inconsistencies and failings of the concrete were discovered. The Town consulted with the Indianapolis-based civil engineering company, Veridus Group, and together determined the project concrete work was unacceptable, thus, the Town has rejected the completed work. “The Town is not willing to compromise a quality product simply to meet a production deadline,” said Town Manager Grant Kleinhenz. “Quality workmanship is critical to ensure the integrity of such structures so that they may endure years of daily use as well as our Midwest weather elements. The Town also demands excellence from our chosen contractors and the concrete work did not meet our standards.”
While not an exhaustive list, documented reasons for the rejected work include improper timing of installation, inconsistencies in grade which are causing water drainage and ponding problems, damage to existing structures and previously poured curbs and sidewalks, inconsistent color, design and depth of the concrete stamping, bonding issues with the sealer, and several micro-stress fractures and already failing concrete.
“The Town of Speedway and the Speedway Redevelopment Commission are not satisfied with the concrete work and expect that it will be corrected at no additional cost,” said SRC President Jennifer Miller. “We have nearly $200,000 in retainage funds that have been held back to ensure that the work is done properly and to our satisfaction.” To date, the contractor has been receptive to the deficiencies identified, has accepted responsibility, and agrees with the decisions that have been made for the rejection of the concrete. The current remediation plan is to remove a majority of the concrete and then repour, ensuring that the proper timing standards are met prior to sealants and colored stain being applied. While this action may result in the work not being completed in 2023, the Town will ensure that the job is done properly and to standard before accepting and certifying the work.
While the 1300 Block Public Plaza and related work was projected to be completed by the end of summer, the new expected completion date could be as late as spring 2024 due to timing, availability, and supply chain issues.