Portion of new police station’s roof incorrectly installed;
Error delays construction by a month
Gilroy – An inspection of the new Gilroy Police Department revealed that a fourth of the roof was installed incorrectly – a $100,000 mistake that has delayed construction by at least a month, police officials said. And while construction of the $26.2-million facility is currently within budget, a new analysis could push the numbers higher.
“As we speak, we are within budget,” said Gilroy Assistant Chief Lanny Brown, co-construction manager of the project. “Do I think it’s possible that we might run over? I do.”
Brown will present an updated figure to city council members in late January. He declined to provide a figure before the new report is completed.
But despite the setback and likely overruns, Brown is pleased with the progress on the 48,900-square-foot building.
“I’m just ecstatic – everybody is,” he said. “It’s a good design and to see it come alive … The big accomplishment was getting all the curbs and roadways set before the rain. It’s waterproof enough that all the trades can work – all that’s going full steam ahead.”
A search of the Gilroy’s Web site and the 24-hour Web cam provide construction progress, which stands at 80 percent complete. Sheets of plastic hang from the sides to help waterproof the building. Brackish puddles collect on the ground floor from rainwater that blew in from the openings.
Brown expects the roof to be repaired and completed within the next three weeks.
“They need to get a little break in the rain before they put the final roofing on,” he explained. “We can’t put the final membrane on without the roof complete.”
During a tour of the new police station Wednesday, Brown pointed out the quadrant of the roof contractors incorrectly installed. Hundreds of small bumps were revealed as he brushed his feet along the temporary rooftop.
Fasteners anchoring tar paper down onto a layer of insulation are supposed to lie flat to prevent water from collecting inside. Inspectors made the discovery and roofing manufacturers told Brown they could not guarantee the roof would be waterproof if the fasteners were not fixed.
According to Brown, the general contractor SJ Amoroso Construction will absorb the cost of the $100,000 error.
“I don’t think they’re going to very happy about it,” he said. “It’s their responsibility to construct what was specified in the specs. I think it’s one of those things where they weren’t watching their sub(contractors)) closely enough.”
With the latest speedbump, the new station should be completed by early May, he estimated. Heavy winter storms pushed the project off pace by about a month last year.
Brown expects the new station to be completely settled by September as departments gradually move.
In addition to all the police personnel, the new building also will house the city’s Information Technology department.
“We are IT dependent, especially the 911 center,” said Sgt. Kurt Svardal.
Because GPD is the most IT intensive sector in the city and relies on the technicians to keep operations running smoothly, the branch has been moved to one central location.
It’s changes such as this, that police officials believe will create a more efficient department.
Currently, the Rosanna Street station is filled to capacity. The building was erected in 1965, and growth has pushed it beyond its limits. Evidence is often kept outside in portable storage units and custodial closets serve as offices.
“When you walk around here, we’ve shoehorned people into every possible space and closet we can find,” Brown said of the old office.
The new station will have eight computer stations for officers to write reports – they have three at the old station.
Interview space is tight right now with just two rooms. They will have three times as many at the new station.
“Right now, you get a victim of sexual abuse, we take them to the library … then we’re all scrambling for space,” Svardal explained. “Efficiency is going to be greatly enhanced because of situations like that,” he said pointing to the interview rooms.
Police officers will often talk with people in the lobby of the current station, asking for names, addresses, and phone numbers where anyone waiting can overhear.
The interview rooms will also help keep witnesses of crimes separated. Dozens of witnesses in the gang-related shooting at the DMart parking lot Oct. 28 were questioned in any available space that night.
“We don’t want them sitting there talking while they’re waiting … because that taints the interview,” Svardal explained. “We’re a community service oriented department, and right now, in a lot of ways we’re lacking. This will help us improve.”
