Published: November 25, 2009 03:55 pm      

Parking lot construction delayed due to rain

The new parking lot construction at the old Shell site won’t be completely done by Light Up the Holidays on Nov. 28, but it will be available for use.

“It will be close,” Street Superintendent Lance Lantz said. “By the 28th, we will have something usable. But it may not be completely done by then.”

The company in charge of the lot construction, Delello & Sons Asphalt Paving, has been delayed by rain. It lost more than eight days due to rain in October, and an unknown number in November.

“Anytime you’re doing dirt work, you lose a day with rain,” Lantz said. “Often, you lose the following day too while it dries out.”

The 60-day substantial completion date is Nov. 25, but that does not count documented rain days. As a result, Lantz said Delello is not in jeopardy of failing to meet its contact terms.

“To their credit, they know we have an event on the 28th, so they are trying to have most of it done by then,” Lantz said. “They’ve been an excellent contracting company and very responsive.”

Lantz hoped to have the lot paved by Friday, Nov. 20, but it was delayed until Monday, Nov. 23. He expects that line striping, landscaping, plant placement and mulch will be done not long after Light Up the Holidays.