State building woes prompt legal concerns

Monday, April 28, 2003 | 9:06 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Tiles falling off the outside of the Sawyer State Office Building in Las Vegas pose a danger to employees and the general public, a legislative budget committee was told Friday. It was the same warning that state lawmakers had been given on Jan. 21.

Both times Dan O'Brien, general manager of the state Public Works Board, said the bare spots left by the falling tile could result in water seeping in and eventually result in mold.

The repairs, he said, could cost millions of dollars, but O'Brien said he's concerned the problem may be due to the installation of the tiles or the design of the building, which was constructed in 1990-91.

As he did in January, O'Brien again asked the Senate-Assembly budget committee for $316,346 to finance legal costs if a suit is brought against the architect, contractor or the subcontractors. He said a final study is due next month that will detail the problems.

"We're not proposing to fix the tile," said O'Brien. "We're waiting for the study."

If there is legal action, O'Brien said, the money would be used to hire experts. But he said contractors, whom he did not identify, are initially willing to work with the state.

The state has to take action to seal the places where tiles have fallen. He said there could be "water intrusion," which could result in mold.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, expressed concern about going to court in a suit that may take years to resolve. He said the lawyers end up with the money and he asked whether it might be cheaper to fix the problem.

Raggio also said he was concerned that the Public Works Board wants to use general obligation bond money for legal work. The bond money is traditionally used to finance construction projects.

Susan Dunt, head of the state's Risk Management Division, told the subcommittee she was concerned that if the panels "keep popping off" at an accelerated rate, the danger to the public and employees will be even greater.