Solutions sought for state building woes

Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001 | 11:26 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, asked a pointed question Tuesday that he hopes will lead to smoother state construction projects in the future.

While reviewing Gov. Kenny Guinn's $301 million state building program Tuesday during a joint meeting of the Legislature's budget committees, Raggio brought up the construction problems associated with UNLV's Lied Library.

The state put up $42 million of the library's $58 million construction budget for the Lied Library, which opened Saturday after missing a planned January 2000 opening. Raggio pointed out that the state covered more than $600,000 in cost overruns.

And now, subcontractors have presented more claims for overruns, amounting to $5.6 million.

"How did we get to this point and how do we prevent something like this in the future?" Raggio asked.

Dan O'Brien, newly appointed manager of the state Public Works Board, said a legislative audit is under way to determine how the problems occurred. He said a meeting is scheduled for Wednesday with a claims auditor to look at the requests from the subcontractors.

"I believe there is a lot of fluff in these (claims) but we need expertise," his deputy, Ward Patrick, told the committees.

O'Brien said there were still problems at the library involving fire safety questions and the interior design.

Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, said students complain there is not enough light at night. But Patrick said new lights have been ordered.

A number of other issues arose at the review session, among them: