COUNTYWIDE : Airport Contractor Misses a Deadline
Embattled John Wayne Airport contractor Taylor Woodrow Construction California Ltd. missed Thursday’s promised deadline for completing the new Thomas F. Riley Terminal, with just three weeks remaining before scheduled airline use.
Pesky software glitches in the computer-controlled fire-suppression system caused it to fail for the fourth time in as many weeks, making the $62-million terminal ineligible for a required temporary certificate of occupancy.
Despite objections from Taylor Woodrow, airport officials have refused to accept the building as substantially complete until the fire-control system works. The rest of the terminal is complete, except for some minor cleanup work, “tweaking” of the air conditioning and airline equipment installation, airport officials said.
“We’re concerned, but we think the problem is going to be solved in enough time,” said airport spokeswoman Courtney Wiercioch.
Assistant Airport Manager Jan Mittermeier said the fire-control system is not the only item Taylor Woodrow must fix before the county will accept the building, but she said the others are “very minor” and will be done in the next few days.
But Supervisor Thomas F. Riley, for whom the new terminal is named, said Taylor Woodrow’s failure to meet Thursday’s deadline “is a surprise, and I hate surprises.”
“I will take whatever action is necessary,” Riley said, “ . . . to have all of the activities stay on schedule.”
Riley was referring to a Sept. 4 media luncheon, black-tie reception Sept. 7, public open house Sept. 8 and the terminal’s first use by aircraft Sept. 16.
Taylor Woodrow Senior Vice President William L. Ostfeld defended the company’s performance.
“Since last December, we’ve worked toward a substantial completion date of Aug. 23,” he said. “We have been testing the complex life safety and operational systems for the past four weeks in the terminal. This week the fire marshal has requested some minor modifications and we are making them. The building itself has been substantially complete since Aug. 10.”
The new, 337,900-square-foot domed terminal has been plagued by delays and cost overruns since construction began in 1988.
After steadfastly denying that the terminal would miss its April 1, 1990, opening, airport officials last December announced a postponement until Sept. 16. At the same time, Taylor Woodrow’s Feb. 28, 1990, completion deadline was extended to May 16 due to late steel deliveries. That contractual deadline has never been changed and is the date from which late fines totaling $25,000 a day will be assessed against Taylor Woodrow, pending further negotiations.
In May, county supervisors fired Taylor Woodrow from a $25-million garage and elevated roadway contract for lateness, but also to pressure the firm into finishing the terminal building quickly. Taylor Woodrow sued the county over that contract loss. Also, the county forced the Irvine-based contractor to adhere to a rigid set of conditions, and promised final delivery of the terminal to the county by Thursday.
