Gossips has reported a few times about problems with the work done for the "Hudson Streetscapes" project, the city's largest project funded with DRI (Downtown Revitalization Initiative) money. Among the problems with the execution of the project are trees and perennials planted during a heatwave and not adequately watered, uneven granite setts, and sidewalks that cracked just weeks after being installed.
In July, people who expressed concern about the dead and dying trees were assured that Upstate Landscaping, the company subcontracted to do the planting (on the hottest days of the summer), would return in the fall to replace any trees and plants that had died.
Since the work wound up in mid-August, Arterial, the group that designed the project, reviewed the work and came up with the punch list of items that need attention and correction. The next step was supposed to be a walk-through with Luizzi, the contractor responsible for the entire project, to point out all the things that are unacceptable. But here's the bizarre twist.
At the Public Works Board meeting last night, Justin Weaver, mayor's aide and ADA coordinator, reported that Luizzi and also Creighton Manning have been completely unresponsive. They have not replied to emails from Weaver, from DPW superintendent Rob Perry, or from the NYS Department of State, to which the City appealed for help in this situation. To quote Weaver, "Nobody has ever seen anything like this."
Weaver noted that Luizzi has not been paid for the work completed and will not be paid until the work is satisfactorily done. He cited the amount in question as $500,000.
Weaver's report at the Public Works Board meeting can be viewed here, beginning at 12:15.
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Voila, another shitshow wasting employees' time and taxpayers' money with horrible results for the city's infrastructure. It never ends.
ReplyDeleteThere is often a reason for low bids from contractors, especially newcomers like Luizzi. (Their Google reviews are abysmal)
The city had no history with Luizzi, so we took a big chance that they were professionals who knew what they were doing and would stand by their work. Woopsie!
I don't know how this could have been avoided, but it should have been. It's called accountability, proper management, proper planning from A PLANNER with follow through, paying attention, all those important details that Hudson City Hall completely lacks.
Did anyone from City Hall attempt to contact any other municipalities who hired Luizzi for similar work, if there are any out there? Of course not. Shouldn't every contractor who bids for a project be required to show similar past work they have completed with passing grades? (Isn't that called vetting?) Why would anyone hire a company with no history of doing work they are bidding on, especially if they are the low bidder and must be awarded the job?
You'd think that since we have a Public Works Board that this could have been avoided.
To operate a municipality, even one as small as Hudson, is not at all easy. It's difficult, but it can be done. Hudson City Hall seems to go out of its way to make things more difficult for itself and for its residents. They can't seem to get out of their own way, something Kamal Johnson seems fine with. What the heck does he care? He still gets paid to watch and listen to his aide deal with all the preventable headaches that never stop coming his way.
SO FROM THIS REPORT I ASSUME THAT NO BOND WAS REQUIRE FROM CONTRACT.AT LEAST THE CITY IS HOLDING $1/2 MILLION.FAT CHANCE THE CITY CAN STOP PAYMENT ON THAT I O U....
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