- April 24, 2024
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The city of Palm Coast is fining Cline Construction $1,000 per day for every day past Sept. 28, until the Citation Boulevard realignment project between Seminole Woods Boulevard and Sesame Boulevard is deemed “substantially complete.” That’s the standard fine, and it’s about $42,000 as of Nov. 9, according to city spokeswoman Brittany Kershaw. Cline President Scott Sowers, however, said the company is challenging the amount because many factors — including the pandemic — put the completion of the project beyond Cline’s control.
“We have submitted change order requests for rain days and pandemic issues that were initially denied,” Sowers said in an email to the Palm Coast Observer. “However, we are challenging it, as the contract explicitly allows for additional time due to pandemics. We have been in discussions with the city manager, and we are still waiting on a response from her. Citation is open to traffic, which was the city’s main concern.”
Kershaw reported the following in a press release at the end of July: “During construction, the crew came across an issue with a stormwater structure and a water main that required redesign. The structure that is needed has to be built and delivered from the manufacturer. This delay in redesign and materials halted construction on the project. Citation Parkway is now expected to re-open to motorists in August and the project is estimated to be entirely completed by mid-September.”
Citation Boulevard reopened Oct. 27, but there are still items that remain unfinished.
As of Nov. 8, the sidewalk still needs to be added, and the widening of Seminole Woods Parkway still needs to be finished. The turn lanes need to be paved, signs need to be installed, and grading needs to be competed on the swales. Landscaping needs to be completed.
“The contractor will be in the area finishing these items while traffic is utilizing the roadway,” Kershaw added.
Some Seminole Woods residents have become increasingly frustrated with the delays, which cause long detours. Some have shouted insults at workers as they drive by. Someone put sand into the gas tank of a paving machine and also used power tools to destroy other equipment — which caused more delays.
“It’s hard to say, ‘Well, this caused it,’” Sowers said of the delays. “COVID is one of the big ones that has screwed things up. We’ve had some of our employees get it, and then it shuts down a whole crew. … They ride together in the same truck to job sites, so they have to sit out or get tested.”
A fully vaccinated foreman, who has been with the company for 25 years, died of COVID during the Citation project. “It’s a wakeup call, and it’s not something you’re prepared to deal with,” Scott Sowers said, adding that the foreman was fully vaccinated and had other health issues.
A fully vaccinated foreman, who has been with the company for 25 years, died of COVID during the Citation project.
“It’s a wakeup call, and it’s not something you’re prepared to deal with,” Sowers said, adding that the foreman was fully vaccinated and had other health issues.
In addition to COVID cases among staff, labor shortages have hampered Cline. Even after giving 10% raises companywide, Sowers said he still needs more hands.
“We’re desperately looking for employees,” he said. “We would hire 10 of them if we could find them. They’re just not out there.”
Supply disruptions, caused by both the pandemic and Hurricane Ida, have also impacted the company, from pickup trucks to PVC pipes.
"It's a perfect storm," Sowers said.
