Price tag grows as Fernald athletic developments move ahead
As the city develops the site of the former Fernald State School, it’s learning more about the property — and encountering new, sometimes unexpected costs.
The City Council’s Finance Committee this week approved a total of $285,513.32 in additional funding for planning and repair work in a section of the property reserved for future athletic use.
The city plans to turn Howe Hall — built in 1933 as a central community event space at the Fernald — into a municipal pool. The building itself, however, requires significant repair work; last summer, City Council approved a $6.4 million loan for renovations to the exterior of Howe Hall and Administration Building.
Since these renovations started, Recreation Director Kim Hebert said contractors have discovered an additional $35,403.72 in damage to the building that was previously concealed by broken gutters and vegetation.
Hebert also requested $242,959.60 to extend the scope of the project. Since these renovations involve abatement for hazardous materials on the outside of the building, she proposed bundling some interior abatement work into the same project to save the city money in the long term.
Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy said she’d look into whether the city could begin other hazardous materials abatement in the building at this stage.
Hebert told councilors that the nearby athletic area — phase two of the city’s long-term recreation development plan for the Fernald — also requires some revisions after the discovery of an underground steam tunnel on the property.
Councilors approved $17,150 to modify the athletic area plans to avoid building on top of the tunnel, which will remain underground and inaccessible to visitors.
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How long have these buildings vacant? Every year they deteriorate more and more. If Waltham had a wise Mayor, a master plan for the Fernald would have been developed and implemented within a few years after Waltham took over this property. Decisions made on which buildings to keep and repurpose and which to demolish. The building that were slated for reuse would have been secured and temporary measures take to stabilize them. Instead they sit for years open to the weather and water infiltration. Making renovation much more expensive.
How can existing steam tunnels be a surprise? When the city took control, did the city engineers meet with the state to obtain all of the information that they had on this complex site? I’m sure someone on the state’s payroll knew of the existence of these tunnels, or at least could have provided access to drawings and records. This would of happened during a proper site evaluation and master planing done when the site was acquired by the city.
This proves the old saying “poor planing preceeds poor performance”
I agree! Like everything in this city. Nothing is planned well and is just costing us more and more money. I have heard horror stories about nonsense that goes on in this city. Even the new buildings are having major problems because there is no accountability and no one knows what’s going on. We need a professional company to come in and make a 100-year plan. Not a city position with someone who knows someone. An actual company and do it right.