Subcontractor cost overruns imperil UNLV’s Lied Library

Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2000 | 10:54 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Cost overruns showing up on the claims of subcontractors are imperiling the state's ability to fully pay for UNLV's Lied Library, now under construction and expected to open in January.

The library has a construction budget of $48 million, including private donations, and a furnishings budget of $9 million.

Ward Patrick, acting manager of the state Public Works Board, said subcontractors have filed additional claims amounting to $3 million.

"If these contractors prevail, we don't have the money to pay," Patrick told the board Monday.

The board's staff has objected to the cost overruns, Patrick said. "We don't have the money to cover one-tenth of that."

There's a possibility of a suit, Patrick said, adding, "The judicial system usually leans on the side of the builder."

He recommended and the board agreed that a full audit be conducted on the demands by the subcontractors to see if there are "unsubstantiated claims." If the state prevailed, it would recover the cost of the audit.

Board members asked if there was any money in the university system that might be able to pay the $3 million. Patrick said UNLV doesn't have the money and the schools in the system do not transfer funds between campuses. The board was left Tuesday wondering where the money would come from if the subcontractors' claims were validated.

Construction of the library is a year behind its original schedule. It has experienced construction problems, including flooring that had to be shored up to bear the weight of bookshelves. There were fire safety issues and air quality questions.

A certificate of occupancy has been obtained for the library but some problems still need to be remedied before it can open.

The general contractor is Tibesar Construction.