Contractors Offer to Fix Davey Lopes While City Orders Demolition
Friday, October 18, 2013
Providence City Councilman Davian Sanchez announced Thursday that several minority contractor associations in Providence are "willing to provide the complete the necessary repairs" of the Davey Lopes pool that was the center of controversy this summer when closed.
The City of Providence, however, has issued a solicitation for bids for its demolition, opening the bid process next Monday, October 21 -- which would close on November 4, with construction to fill the pool to begin on November 12 -- and be completed by December 7.
Read Bid Solicitation Here
Sanchez said that the bid process was being sped up to two weeks, instead of the usual six. "The city can do a two-week advertisement -- if it's an emergency. [Joslin pool] has been closed for 2 1/2 years now. This doesn't have to happen this quick."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTSanchez went on to note that he almost didn't catch the bid solicitation -- at all. "The request for bid only says "pool demolition services" -- it doesn't even say Davey Lopes until several the attachment towards the end."
"I think it was intended to slip through unnoticed," said Sanchez.
Repairs -- or Destruction -- on the Line.
Providence’s Davey Lopes Pool, which when closed this past summer met a strong reaction for its reopening in the community, is "on its way to being re-opened," Sanchez said in press release issued Thursday.
“This group of contractors has generously offered to provide labor pro bono, however, the City would need to cover the cost of materials,” stated Sanchez. "The material costs, which are estimated at $10,000 will neither be a hindrance to the effort, nor will it impact the city’s budget, as nearly $100,000 in various Community Development Block Grants have already been set aside for the project."
“The community response to the Davey Lopes pool closure has been overwhelming, and it’s clear that the pool is an asset to the south side of Providence, ” said Sanchez, who is hopeful that the repairs will be completed in time to open next summer.
City Intends on Water Park
However, the request for bids states that the "City of Providence intends to build a Water Park in 2014 on the site of the current Davey Lopes pool" and prior to that, "we need a contractor to fill the pool."
"The fill project is going to cost roughly $50,000. What I'm proposing is going to cost less than $10,000," noted Sanchez, saying he was raising private funds to be able to staff the pool.
"On Monday, I'll know just how much money I have," said Sanchez, noting that he would be making an announcement that day.
Sanchez noted a bright spot at Davey Lopes, however. "On Saturday, we've got a ribbon cutting for our new basketball floor. It had been the oldest basketball court in the city."
Related Slideshow: New England States’ Grades for Debt Protection
A new report by the National Consumer Law Center shows how states rank for debt protection laws for consumers, to preserve basic items of property from seizure by creditors -- and Rhode Island received a "C" grade overall, which the NCLC qualifies has having "many gaps and weaknesses."
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- Taveras Cracks Down on Providence Employees Speaking About Pools
- Providence City Council Members Weigh in on Davey Lopes Pool
- Sanchez Leads Effort to Fix Davey Lopes with Federal Funds
