City Council members approved an emergency declaration for a new roof over the Multi-Purpose Center at Veterans Park after leaks had been detected.
The Multi-Purpose Center houses the Community Meeting Room and Newcastle Public Library.
Council members gave their approval during the November meeting. By declaring an emergency, the council determined it was important to bypass normal bid requirements, which takes about an additional five weeks.
City Council member Marci White said she was concerned about public perception on bypassing the requirements, but she said she understands the need to make the repair.
“This has been coming for a long time,” White said. “With the next severe rain, it could do significant damage.”
City Manager Kevin Self said there have been reports of leaks in the roofing, and he said City crews have found water standing in the heater closet area. Self said he was concerned about any additional damage that might result.
Water has been seen dripping from the ceiling in the community room and being caught in a bucket during a recent Newcastle Chamber of Commerce luncheon. White said she respected that there is a reason to approve an emergency, but she doesn’t want anything in the future to get this far in the process so the City will still have time to utilize normal bidding procedures.
All council members agreed that they didn’t want any more damage to the building.
Self said a bid on replacing the roofhad been given to the City back in July, but no action was taken by staff at the time. He said he has now contacted five different companies and received three quotes back.
Replacement of the roof membrane was eventually approved by the Council to Ridgid Construction. Their bid had a five-year warranty and the total price came in at $66,950. Self said this is actually under the amount required of the City to go out to bid.
Ten Arrow Roofing’s bid came in at $109,300 with a 10year warranty. They were the company that had given the City a quote back in July. The highest bid, according to Self, was the third company, whose bid came in at $129,000.
