The Dallas County Commissioners debated the rising costs and delays to renovations at the historic Dallas County Records Building complex.
The original cost of the renovations was $158 million. However, COVID-19 delays, design changes, and other factors have gotten it up to $170 million.
On Tuesday, Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price discussed the problems with the project with other commissioners at the court meeting.
Commissioner Elba Garcia defended the renovation work and praised the staff for a fabulous job. Price also believes the nearly 900 employees who relocated in March 2018 for the renovation did a great job returning to the building. However, he said that the contractor hadn’t paid some subcontractors, and costs may continue increasing.
“There are a lot of issues that are looming out there,” Price said.
According to county officials, the current fees they are paying the contractor are capped by contract, and the contractor is responsible for paying subcontractors. They also said that the county had hired lawyers to review every detail of the project.
“You have your attorneys coordinating and they’re going to come to the court probably the first week in December with just a full review and a final audit,” said Assistant County Administrator Jonathan Bazan.
The oldest portion of the complex opened in 1915; however, the complex includes three old buildings pieced together over the years. The interior of the buildings in the complex was later ripped out, leaving one expanded, modern structure.
The top of the renovated building is to be the County Commissioners’ meeting place in the future. That part of the building is set to be ready for use in January.
Garcia expressed hopes that the historic shell of the buildings would not collapse as interiors were removed for the renovation. “Growing pains are still there. I want to thank all the elected officials and administrators that were kind enough to send me their punch list,” she said.
