Kirkland Terminates Contract with Juanita Beach Park Contractor for Non-Performance

By on June 3, 2011 in Government

Contractor unable to complete renovation project

Due to the failure to complete the renovations of Juanita Beach Park, the City of Kirkland has terminated its contract with DMSL Construction, Inc. (Arlington, WA). The contractor was required to complete the renovation project by June 1 but was unable to do so.

“The City is as disappointed as the community about the lack of performance that has resulted in a family-favorite park not being opened yet,” notes Jenny Schroder, Director, Kirkland Parks & Community Services Department. “We were given plans and repeated assurances that the work would be completed on time and unfortunately the contractor did not deliver on its promises.”

The City entered into a contract in March, 2010 for $1.18 million for the contractor to complete improvements to the southern portion (beach side) of Juanita Beach Park. Construction began in May, 2010. The contractor was only compensated for actual work which it completed in the park, and the project remains within budget.

The City will bring on a new general contractor to complete the remaining construction tasks required to reopen the park as quickly as possible this summer. For project updates, go to www.kirklandwa.gov/parks and select Park Planning & Development or contact Michael Cogle, Interim Deputy Director, Kirkland Parks & Community Services Department at 425-587-3310 or vog.awdnalkriknull@elgocm.

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  • Per-Ola

    Yes, not a day too late
    Finishing this should now be a breeze – and that is not a joke!

  • John Gilday

    OK, this could NOT have come at a worse time.

    The best action by the city would be to work WITH the contractor (considering they are only 48 hours out of compliance) and bring in an additional contrator (or even two) to complete this project and solve this problem ASAP.

    DON’T create another lawsuit – find a solution.

    • Per-Ola Selander

      John,

      They should have been terminated LONG time ago. This is such a horribly mismanaged project, both from the City but primarily from the Contractor’s side, and a reason many point to when they say our tax dollars are not being used in the most effective manner – and just want our tax rates to be lowered (when we in effect need to pay more to support our “installations” from crumbling).I’d have no problem with higher taxes for “the common good”, but they should be used efficiently and effectively.

      Many of us that are down here (or rather there, I’m in London) daily have seen “lack of any progress” for far too many days. We can build palatial mansions in the shittiest weather, sure we can do major landscaping in a “not too complicated” park (and still abide by whatever regulations there are for shoreline protection, etc) even during a not so perfect spring.

      Personally, I think the red flags were raised already in late fall when they failed to have major areas ready for seeding before the winter. That in itself was likely a needed step to at least have the grass ready for this summer.

      I’d say put a City PM on the project, and use day labor. They are cost-effective, work very hard, and will be happy to help out here. If nothing else, bring them in to start cleaning up.

      But, even when now rightfully canning the contractor, I think we unfortunately can expect this park to be closed for the summer.

      • John Gilday

         Per-Ola,
        After reading your excellent letter ( http://www.kirklandviews.com/archives/27322/ ), I have to agree with you. 

        My first instinct is to blame City of Kirkland staff for screwing up and making the contractor’s job hard or impossible – that does not seem to be the case in this situation.

  • Msmaxola

    Was anyone checking on this project ie:the City of Kirkland? There is no one there day after day! Bring in a real landscape company and get it done.

  • orance

    This is often what happens with a low bidder.  They can be underqualified.  They underperform, can’t schedule work properly by planning for problems, or have an adequate number workers to finish a job. 

  • eric t

    My fear is that the city will hire a general landscaper that will quickly perform an uninspiring, cookie-cutter installation. This park deserves to showcase the beauty of northwest fauna and restorative areas. Don’t disappoint us again CofK – the ball’s in YOUR court to fix OUR problem. Quality and effiency is the paramount goal, not a scrambled sprint to the finish with a bandaid half-assed solution.

  • Anonymous

    Someone with City of Kirkland needs to be held accountable.

    After missing the deadline last Fall for planting grass seed, it looks as though the contractor somehow BS’d their way through the Fall, Winter and most of the Spring. Many citizens reported their observations of a lack of progress months ago.

    The response from Kirkland Parks Interim Deputy Director Micheal Cogle was to defend the contractors by saying “It is such a big park….the workers just get lost in the size sometimes and they are hard to see. But they are there.” (Kirkland Reporter, April 2011). Seriously? The entire park is visible from Juanita Drive, and I rarely, if ever, saw anyone working in there.

    This is an unacceptable situation that the City was not aggressive enough to nip in the bud 8 or 10 months ago.

    I, for one, want to know which coddled public servant at City Hall is going to lose their job over this.

    • Per-Ola

      I’ve said it before, and can only agree with you. It was piss-poor project management by the City (or rather individuals at the City).

    • Per-Ola

      I’ve said it before, and can only agree with you. It was piss-poor project management by the City (or rather individuals at the City).