Work continues to fix problems at park center

And they're still not finished.

The building, which was designed by former Building Official William Overstreet, faces several problems, which Community Services Director David Lykins refers to as minor and not threatening to employees or visitors.

DETAILS

According to documents obtained by the Daily News, some of the problems at the River Park Community Center include: * The steps at the main entrance are not in compliance with the Florida Building Code. * The steps at the main entrance need additional handrails. * All existing handrails are not compliant with the Florida Building Code. * There is concern about the structural crack in the floor inside the women's rest room. * The kitchen dishwasher leaks at several locations. * There is a concrete hump beneath the carpet in the auditorium. * An additional exit sign is required. * The fire sprinkler head trim ring is missing on the system on the west side of the center in the porch area. * There is a crack in the wall in the front area of the building. * There is a crack in the center of the blocks that starts at the top of the wall and ends at the top of the door by the game room. * Stains run down the front porch wall.

Two repair lists were created -- one in January, a little longer than a month after the center opened, and one in July.

The contractor for the project was Owen-Ames-Kimball Co., which also was the contractor for Lowdermilk Park.

Overstreet said that it's common to have problems with new buildings, "especially one that big and complex."

But he also said that OAK was not happy that city officials chose to make a second list of needed repairs at midsummer.

"But they said their reputation was on the line, and they'd fix everything they found," Overstreet said.

Lykins said the city still has not given OAK it's final payment and likely won't until the items on the lists are repaired, which City Manager Bob Lee would like complete in the next three weeks.

"We're going to more than likely send them a letter stating there is a few more items that need to be completed before the city provides final payment," Lykins said.

Overstreet said he doesn't agree with some items on the repair list.

Overstreet said he argued with city employees about the handrails not complying with the state's building code and that the concrete lump was "so insignificant you hardly knew it was there."

As for the stairs, Overstreet said, "Evidently, the inspector didn't catch that part. Nobody caught it. It's so minor, it's not even worth talking about."

"I think there is a lynch mob out to try to hang me for anything they could find," Overstreet added.

He would not expand on his comment.

Overstreet resigned last month shortly after Lee suspended him with pay. After a performance audit of the building department, Lee alerted Overstreet that he faced several allegations that include violating flood rules established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency; accepting fishing trips on company time from Boran Craig Barber Engel Construction Co. Inc.; instructing building department employees to give favors to builders and giving himself discounts on permit fees when working on his Coral Drive home.