Miscellaneous items of interest re Casino building construction...

Going back through the Morganti progress report for the month of October, I found some items that hold some interest.  One of these is about a change in the HVAC - air conditioning system. It is noted toward the beginning of the report:

One of the key components of a building in south Florida meeting various standards for "green" construction relates to the air conditioning system.  This appears to be an item currently waiting for review by the architect/engineer for the project and is probably related to a cost saving measure over a more costly - but more efficient A/C system.  I hope that the meeting on Monday will be a time when the staff or Morganti can respond to questions related to the green certification status of the building - since it is state law the any new municipal building meet a green building standard.  It was also one of the positives of the project used by the previous City Commission in their selling of the project.

And this item, found in the front section as well:

Remember all the talk about using local sub-contractors?  Have we ever gotten a report of the extent to which bona-fide city of Lake Worth businesses are being used for the project - being paid out of the city's "cash portfolio?"  It would be nice to hear an up-date at Monday's meeting on this topic.

Later on in the report are a series of daily reports prepared by Morganti, which include these two entries related to inspections.  The inspections are being done by the City of West Palm Beach - as are all construction projects in Lake Worth.

These inspections happened around the same time Doug Wise, the West Palm Beach building official, appeared at a City Commission meeting.  It was probably also about the same time that Commissioner Maxwell sent this letter to Mr. Wise, following up on the Inspector General's finding that the building represents a "substantial improvement" - which is another way of saying that it is NEW construction.  Since the project is considered new construction and the foundation system of the building does not include pilings, the city is relying on an untested and un-certified seawall to protect the building.  It is way past time that the city pony up the money to examine the integrity of the seawall.

And then there is a record of members of the Inspector General's office coming to visit the site and asking questions about the delay related to the second floor restaurant:

So, the OIG is on the case and being true to their word in following through while the project is underway.

Yesterday, the City Manager's report included this Coastal Construction Control Line permit issued by the Florida DEP.  This does not relate to the casino building, but to the various out-buildings and pavilions that are part of the overall beach project.  The DEP permit for the casino building was issued this past April.