County expected to hire courthouse consultant

Ed Koch and Adrienne Packer

Friday, April 27, 2001 | 10:51 a.m.

The Clark County Commission, attempting to overcome delays to the largest building project in its history, is expected Tuesday to hire an independent consultant "with the experience and expertise" to move things along.

The $139 million Regional Justice Center/Clark County Detention Center expansion is running about 200 days behind on the courthouse facility and about 100 days behind on the jail, county spokesman Doug Bradford said today.

"At the end of the project, we will sit down with the contractor and discuss potential penalties -- going to court is our last option," Bradford said. "The project still can be completed on time to avoid those penalties."

The jail is projected to be completed by December and the Regional Justice Center by fall 2002.

Bradford said the county is hiring independent contractor Marty Solomon to facilitate communications between the county and the builders. He also said the county is maintaining a good working relationship with project manager Jacobs Facilities, Inc., of Pasadena, Calif., and general contractor AF Construction of Las Vegas.

"With Marty Solomon we are getting a consultant with the experience and expertise to work with the contractor to get the project done. This is the largest building project in our history, and we want it done right."

Solomon will receive $100,000. His pay, along with the hiring of an independent fire/safety inspection company to study the building's system and a materials contract extension, will cost more than $492,500.

Bradford said the materials contract extension is necessary to determine how much damage was done to the facilities by heavy rains.

Despite the delays and the hiring of consultants, the project, approved by voters in a 1996 $120 million bond issue, remains within budget.

Assistant Clark County Manager Mike Alastuey said today the cost of the project has not run over the budgeted amount of $162 million. When the budget was established, he said, the county took into account change orders and delays typical with major construction projects.

"As the project goes forward, contracts and change orders are approved to complete construction," Alastuey said. "Those (change orders) to this point have been anticipated and are within the budgeted amount."