MONROE - Renovations at Monroe City Hall have hit a snag, causing a change in early voting plans and operations for administrative staff.
Nearly two months have passed for work that was initially estimated to be finished this week. Two projects began mid-August. The inside renovations called for removal of asbestos under the floor to be replaced with new tiles. Work began on the flooring on Aug. 15. Outside construction by Gilbank Construction of Clinton was approved Aug. 19 and began in mid-September. Work includes the replacement of crumbling cement and the addition of a covering over the accessible ramp to the Parks and Recreation Department.
While initially assuming the inside work would be completed before outside construction, City Administrator Phil Rath said that is no longer how plans will likely follow through.
"At this point the exterior may be finished before the interior," Rath said. "We just don't know. Unfortunately, we're all disrupted for a little bit longer."
The main reason for the disruption is a problem with the replacement floor tiles to be laid within City Hall. Rath said the crew of workers had told him they identified issues with the installation of tiles in which the floor materials were not adhering to the ground. It is unknown why the pieces are not applying as they should.
A key function of City Hall is to serve as a voting place for the city of Monroe. Without access, other accommodations would have to be made. Luckily, Rath said, the election should still be held in the basement of the building because cement work should be completed before Nov. 8. However, in-person absentee voting begins on Oct. 24. Rath said because of the delays, City Clerk Carol Stamm will still be working out of the westside fire station on West 17th Street when people begin early voting. Stamm will be taking ballots at the station rather than her office in City Hall as planned.
"We don't have a clear indication as to when the project will be completed," Rath said.
Because of the unknown reason behind the faulty materials, it will not be clear until later in the week, he added. Rath said the problem should not cause any disruption for the planned Monroe Fire Department pancake breakfast scheduled for Oct. 23 at the downtown fire station from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., though organization may be more sporadic than in previous years.
Nearly two months have passed for work that was initially estimated to be finished this week. Two projects began mid-August. The inside renovations called for removal of asbestos under the floor to be replaced with new tiles. Work began on the flooring on Aug. 15. Outside construction by Gilbank Construction of Clinton was approved Aug. 19 and began in mid-September. Work includes the replacement of crumbling cement and the addition of a covering over the accessible ramp to the Parks and Recreation Department.
While initially assuming the inside work would be completed before outside construction, City Administrator Phil Rath said that is no longer how plans will likely follow through.
"At this point the exterior may be finished before the interior," Rath said. "We just don't know. Unfortunately, we're all disrupted for a little bit longer."
The main reason for the disruption is a problem with the replacement floor tiles to be laid within City Hall. Rath said the crew of workers had told him they identified issues with the installation of tiles in which the floor materials were not adhering to the ground. It is unknown why the pieces are not applying as they should.
A key function of City Hall is to serve as a voting place for the city of Monroe. Without access, other accommodations would have to be made. Luckily, Rath said, the election should still be held in the basement of the building because cement work should be completed before Nov. 8. However, in-person absentee voting begins on Oct. 24. Rath said because of the delays, City Clerk Carol Stamm will still be working out of the westside fire station on West 17th Street when people begin early voting. Stamm will be taking ballots at the station rather than her office in City Hall as planned.
"We don't have a clear indication as to when the project will be completed," Rath said.
Because of the unknown reason behind the faulty materials, it will not be clear until later in the week, he added. Rath said the problem should not cause any disruption for the planned Monroe Fire Department pancake breakfast scheduled for Oct. 23 at the downtown fire station from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., though organization may be more sporadic than in previous years.