Houston Chronicle
Villages grill builder about delays in new police headquarters

By KIM CANON Staff

01/31/02

Confronting a project six months behind schedule, the Memorial Villages Police Commission is taking steps to terminate its contract with the construction company building a new police headquarters.

Representatives of Stature Commercial Construction Inc. on Tuesday appeared before the commission, which includes representatives from the villages of Bunker Hill, Piney Point and Hunters Creek. The contractor's attorney, Chuck Turet, talked about a problem with mold and other issues raised by the commission.

"There have been complaints that we didn't address the mold problem early enough in the game," Turet said. "We do recognize that it is a significant problem."

Jorge Casimiro , principal owner for Stature, said his company learned of the mold problem in October and contracted with a company to study certain sections of the 12,000-square-foot building that were exposed to summer rains.

Casimiro said the company he initially selected to remove the mold did not actually do that type work, and when he learned about that he hired a second firm. There was a delay in hiring the second company because of the holiday season and inclement weather, he said.

"They completed the test, and we got the results in 14 days," Turet said. "We immediately ordered them to develop a remediation plan, and we are ready to follow their recommendations."

The commission also questioned Stature representatives about production-schedule delays. The $3 .2 million project kicked off in July 2000 and was scheduled for completion in spring 2001.

"If the 179-day extension had been given to us when we requested it last May, we would have been done by now and the mold would probably not have been such a bad problem," Turet said. "We do take responsible for some of the delays. In the end, our intent is to finish the job and address all of your issues."

Len Patton of Bunker Hill said he is concerned about the contractor's willingness to resolve the issues.

"We brought these issues to you four months ago, and little has been done," he said. "Is it too little, too late?"

The commission will make a recommendation regarding the contract's termination on Feb. 7. The commission's recommendation will be considered by the three village councils, which will take final action.

"I do urge you to put something in writing," commission chairman Bernard Hruzek said in addressing Stature officials.