Corrado Construction of Omaha, Neb. entered into a contract with the city for masonry services on or about Sept. 17, 2017, according to the city’s agreement with International Fidelity Insurance Co., Corrado’s performance bond company.

Corrado Construction later hired Kristopher Contractors LLC of Omaha as a subcontractor.

Kristopher Contractors had workers on site approximately one year ago.

As a result of Corrado’s default, International Fidelity Insurance Co. selected Carmona Construction to complete Corrado’s original contract. Carmona also agreed to repair any defects to be found and determined to exist in already completed work that would have been the responsibility of Corrado, according to the council resolution.

T-R FILE PHOTO The new joint Marshalltown Police Department/Fire Department under construction in the 900 block of South Second Street.

The resolution approving the takeover was approved by the city council at a special meeting Wednesday.

“We found it necessary to have the bonding company selected by Corrado Homes, doing business as Corrado Construction, get involved,” City Administrator Jessica Kinser said. “The agreement approved by the city council this (Wednesday) with International Fidelity Insurance Co. will finish the project at the cost it was bid. International Fidelity Insurance Co. selected Carmona Construction (of Omaha, Neb.) to complete the work at the bid cost.”

History of issues

Jeff Smith, a spokesperson for the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local #3 Iowa of Marshalltown, alleged Kristopher Contractors was guilty of “poor craftsmanship in general” in May last year. Last year concerned union members even erected an inflatable display across the street from the building site showing a “fat cat” squeezing a worker to express their frustrations.

“It (the project) needs to get finished,” Smith said. “I hope they picked somebody more responsible.”

Smith also alleged a host of other infractions by Kristopher Contractors in interviews with the Times-Republican last year.

The bricklayers’ allegations of one year ago were a continuation of one they lodged with the city council in the fall of 2017, when Corrado was awarded the masonry bid.The bricklayers alleged then Corrado was not registered in Iowa. Officials with Story Construction Co., of Ames, hired by the city as project manager, said at that time Corrado’s bid qualified, and their bid was successful.

However, at a fall 2017 city council meeting, the bricklayers urged Story Construction Co. to select Seedorff Masonry Co. of Strawberry Point, who they claimed had 50+ years experience and employed union bricklayers.

Calls to Story Construction and Corrado Construction seeking comment were not returned by time of press.

Kinser said Iowa Code requires construction companies to have certified performance bonds in place when bidding on city construction projects.

“When a contractor is not able to complete the work, we (the city) has that extra layer of protection with a performance bond,” Kinser said. “This means the work gets completed.”

Kinser said she expects the facility to be ready for the city’s police and fire personnel joined by E-911 staff June 15.

“We are still sticking with that (June 15) right now,” Kinser said. “When one drives by the building, one still sees a lot of masonry work needs to be completed on the outside. And there are items on the inside as well. But the exterior is going to be the most challenging.”

When construction started in the fall of 2017, officials estimated a December 2018 opening date. That opening date was later adjusted to March of this year and then June 15.

——

Contact Mike Donahey at

641-753-6611 or

mdonahey@timesrepublican.com