The Construction Services Division of the Public Works Department was created six years ago as part of the Public Works Department reorganization. We continue to look forward to the opportunity to work with all the divisions of the Public Works Department as well as the UNIT and Health Department. This division has filled a niche in the organization for the general contracting of projects from $10,000 to $2,000,000, which are performed in-house. This Division implements a variety of City projects through the teamwork of the various Divisions of Public Works, utilizing its equipment to accomplish tasks in the most efficient and cost effective manner possible. This Division also uses our low bid, on-call contractors to perform projects or a combination of City crews and on-call contractors. The Construction Services Division works on implementing a variety of projects; such as road rehabilitation, bridges, building renovations, drainage and the construction management of large City projects.

The Division includes two Construction Managers with one vacant position, priding ourselves on completing our projects on time and within budget. Each of the Division’s Construction Managers has over twenty years experience in the construction industry, trades and public works projects.

Road opening permits are also issued through the Construction Services Division. There was slight decrease over the previous year, from 204 permits to183, generating fees in the amount of $14,553. The permitting process requires coordination and team work and has many facets; certificate of occupancy inspections, infrastructure inspections for roads, sidewalks and driveways. This Division also managed the bond requirements for street opening permits. 

The Division, acting as the Construction Manager & Administrator, for the three school addition projects Shelter Rock Elementary, Stadley Rough Elementary and Park Avenue Elementary Schools. All three addition projects are within budget and will be completed for the 2014 -2015 school year. Shelter Rock & Stadley Rough Schools are substantially complete with Park Avenue Phase III scheduled for an August completion. Phase I construction of three elementary schools was completed on August 24 2013. This phase of the construction was massive undertaking of removing the existing sidewalks and pavements at the main entrances and bus drop offs of three schools in 50 days. The drainage, sidewalks, curbing, parking areas and bus drop offs were reconfigured and reconstructed requiring the contractors and staff to work fourteen hour days, seven days a week to be completed by the opening of the 2013 – 2014 school year.

The Division is also administrating and managing the construction of the total renovation of the former Mill Ridge Intermediate School. The Westside Middle School Academy project is the largest of the four school construction projects. The total school renovation included three additions; a new media center and cafeteria addition. The third addition tied the main school to the former stand alone CRC administration building. The Westside Middle School Academy is within budget and will be completed in July of 2014 and open for the 2014 – 2015 school year.

By utilizing our in-house management team and hiring four owner representatives onsite at each project, there was a significant cost savings, eliminating a costly contract with a construction management firm.

Construction Services, acting as the general contractor, administrated and performed the Long Ridge Road Bridge replacement by installing a new four foot culvert, headwall, manholes and road reconstruction which was completed in 28 days the project was funded through a LOCIP grant. The repair was performed using our in-house resources including design and city bid lists resulting in an overall savings to the city.

Construction Services acted as the general contractor for the demolition and asbestos abatement phase of the new Danbury Innovation Center. This portion of the Innovation Center project was performed using our in-house resources and city bid lists. The work was completed on schedule within budget and resulted in a savings to the city.  

Construction Services, working with the Director of Public Works and City Engineer, completed the emergency bridge repair of the Clearbrook Road Bridge. Again, the work was performed using our in-house resources and city bid list with Construction Services acting as the General Contractor resulting in an overall savings to the city.

Construction Services administrated and managed the Tarrywile School House renovation project converting the former school house into a two bedroom apartment. The project was funded through a LOCIP grant and completed in sixty days and within budget using our in-house construction management resources resulting in an overall savings to the city. 

Construction Services administrated and managed the Kennedy Park renovation project contract. The project was a tremendous undertaking and was completed in forty-five days. With the new landscaping and plantings, the park has taken on a fresh look. The Kennedy Park renovation was designed in-house by the City of Danbury Engineering Division and is an example of the Public Works team in-house professionalism, which results in reduced spending on outside consultants and a significant savings to the city.

Construction Services is currently managing and administrating the construction of the new skate park. The skate park was designed in-house by the City of Danbury Engineering Department. The project is on schedule and within budget with a July 2014 completion date.

In the future, the Division looks forward to being a successful part of the Director’s continuing initiative of performing more in-house work and to continuing the development of our ability to complete in-house management of infrastructure and capital improvement projects. In-house management of projects translates into the savings of tax dollars. We look forward to the continued development of this division and proudly serve as part of the Public Works Department Team.