Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

“Emergency” roof repairs ordered for Executive Mansion

Posted in:

Illinois

* Emergency roof repairs expected to cost “under $40,000.00″ have been ordered for the governor’s mansion, which has a badly leaking roof. With a hat tip to a commenter, here’s the contract’s “Description and Specifications”…

Roofs at the Governor’s Executive Mansion and Carriage House are damaged, resulting in water leaks during heavy rains. Leaks have damaged ceilings and walls, and poses a risk to further interior damage including flooring and mold.

A contractor, Henson Robinson Company, has been selected to provide labor and material to patch all known leaks at the Governor’s Mansion and Carriage House in consultation with CDB.

* From the “Emergency Justification”…

Due to the age (over 44 years old) and deterioration of the roof, heavy rains have caused sufficient roof damage to allow water leaks into the building, causing damage to interior room ceilings, walls. Further water leaks may lead to further damage, including floors and mold.

The roofs at the Governor’s Executive Mansion and Carriage House were set to be replaced this summer under CDB project 735-020-036; however, after bid opening (1/24/2014) - CDB has placed the project on hold - without explanation.

Immediate repairs are necessary to prevent further damage to the interior of the buildings.

Ironically, this emergency contract was let the same day that the governor vetoed Statehouse renovation appropriations.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 30, 14 @ 5:20 pm

Comments

Henson Robinson does good work. About time they fixed the roof.

Comment by How Ironic Monday, Jun 30, 14 @ 5:39 pm
There’s no such thing as “emergency” repairs to a 44-year-old roof.

That’s just a lot of years of neglect.

Now you’re just chasing it. After all that neglect, there are more big bills to come.

Enough. A governor’s mansion is an undemocratic anachronism. Get rid of it.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 30, 14 @ 6:07 pm
They have been in water over their heads for years.

Comment by Milorad Monday, Jun 30, 14 @ 6:28 pm
Look into CDB documents where it was scheduled about 1 1/2 years ago and then cancelled by the Governor’s office.

Comment by 4 percent Monday, Jun 30, 14 @ 6:35 pm
So, I’m curious as to which contractor won the original bid under CDB project 735-020-036? Was that Also a Henson Robinson contact, or did some other bidder win that? Emergency contracts often get to skip much of the bidding regs.

Comment by Newsclown Monday, Jun 30, 14 @ 6:44 pm
…about time! That Mansion ultimately belongs to the PEOple after all–and for MOST Homeowners, when they get a leaky ROOF, they fix it!

(Ironically, years ago, Pat Quinn used to use the very line about, “What you do when ya have a leaky ROOF? Ya FIX it!”–as an analogy when out on the stump about how when you have an immediate, urgent problem like Property Taxes suddenly skyrocketing, you need to FIX it right away, too)!!

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Monday, Jun 30, 14 @ 7:19 pm
Bruce’s perfect excuse to stay in Chicago, Winnetka, Montana, or anywhere else but Springfield!

Comment by Anon Monday, Jun 30, 14 @ 9:31 pm
The Administration has CDB so tied in knots they would still be waiting for CDB project approval next spring. Not sure if it is to conserve the capital money or just incompetence, but CDB projects are know taking 1 - 3 years longer to get under contract than they should or did several years ago. Part of the problem is the “good faith” minority requirements that can preempt low bid, but the issue now seems to be going well beyond that.

Comment by Robert0117 Tuesday, Jul 1, 14 @ 12:27 am
Maybe the Ridge Cap needs a plaque with an inspirational quote ?

“May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof ” ( David McCullough , book 1776 )

Comment by x ace Tuesday, Jul 1, 14 @ 7:04 am
It has not been 44 years ago since the roof was last replaced. I worked executive security under Thompson, back in 84/85 and the whole mansion, carriage house, and rose garden was all remodeled. And Thompson, was criticized by the media and the Dems. for having it done.

Comment by Anthony Tuesday, Jul 1, 14 @ 7:32 am
To paraphrase a John McCain political ad: “Fix the dang roof.”

Comment by Tom Joad Tuesday, Jul 1, 14 @ 7:38 am
40K to patch I wonder what a full replace costs? From the sound of it that is some pretty extensive patching.

Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Jul 1, 14 @ 7:43 am
By his actions, I do believe the Governor is expecting a monsoon and wishes to survive it.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jul 1, 14 @ 7:52 am
Quinn continues to support embattled Chicago State University leader Wayne Watson. While at City Colleges of Chicago, Watson’s neglect of a leaking roof resulted in a $280 million bill to replace Kennedy-King College (a forty year old building). Sweet.

Fix the damn roof!

Comment by Upon Further Review Tuesday, Jul 1, 14 @ 8:08 am
The original project was bid on 02/06/14 with Interior Construction Svs low bid of $2,414,000. The bid was under the original estimate. Maybe Quinn can explain why he did not award the contract to get the roof fixed and now spending $40,000 for a minor fix that will cost more down the road to replace the roof. Anybody knows that a roof wont last 44 years.

Comment by Python Tuesday, Jul 1, 14 @ 8:10 am