City will fine San Jacinto Plaza contractors $1,000 a day

The reconstructed San Jacinto Plaza was supposed to be finished last November. Then in March. Fast forward to mid-May and there’s still no completion date. So the City is putting financial pressure on the contractor, Basic IDIQ.

The City says it has given the contractor enough extensions to finish San Jacinto. The last extension, according to the City, ended May 4th.

The City Council this week decided to essentially fine the contractor $1,000 a day effective May 4th until the project is finished.

City Attorney Sylvia Borunda Fith said the City’s legal team is now working with the contractor’s attorneys to get San Jacinto finished.

City leaders have not released exact reasons on why the project is delayed so much.

An ABC-7 investigation revealed there were nearly two dozen change orders on the San Jacinto plaza construction. Most of them came after the city council adopted new goals, like promoting El Paso’s visual image.

For now, the city council will get weekly updates on the project. “So we’ve already begun the dialogue with them about what would cause the delay and we expect to speak to them very shortly with regard to a revised timeline and an action plant for completion of the park,” said Firth.

ABC-7 reached out to the contractor: Basic IDIQ. A representative said they can’t comment – only saying they’re working with the city to finish the plaza as soon as possible.

“The City of El Paso has asserted its right under the contract to assess liquidated damages, in the amount of $1,000 per day beyond May 4, 2015, which was the extended date for completion. The City of El Paso remains committed to working diligently with Basic IDIQ to ensure this project is completed as quickly as possible. The Legal Department and the City Manager will be briefing City Council on a weekly basis with regard to the progress of the projec,” Firth said in a statement.