New Oceanside Civic Center Needs Repairs : Building: City report blames building contractor for faulty construction, says necessary repairs will cost $2.1 million.

It will cost $2.1 million to repair faulty construction at Oceanside’s new $33-million Civic Center, according to a city report released Friday that tersely blames the building contractor for the problems.

Public Services Director Glenn Prentice recommended in his report to the City Council that a $785,648 final payment be withheld from the contractor, Taylor Woodrow Construction California Ltd., of Orange County.

The report opens the door to possibly hiring another contractor to fix the leaking ceilings, flawed exterior finish, cracked walkways, missing railings and other problems at the 133,000-square-foot complex, which was dedicated June 29.

“The city has been more than patient in attempting to work with Taylor Woodrow toward the completion of the project,” said the report. “However, Taylor Woodrow has failed to satisfy its contractual obligations.”

Even while the report was being circulated, Prentice was meeting with Taylor Woodrow’s new president, Denis Mac Daid, to discuss a possible settlement before the dispute leads to a lawsuit.

Reached after the meeting, Mac Daid said: “We are endeavoring to negotiate and try and get an amicable resolution to the project. I want to avoid litigation.”

According to Mac Daid, Taylor Woodrow crews recently resumed work at the Civic Center, and the firm is willing to fix what it’s responsible for, but won’t be held liable for problems caused by subcontractors or the architect.

“Anywhere it has to be put right when it’s our responsibility, we’re going to put it right,” Mac Daid said.

Prentice characterized Mac Daid as having promised that “he’s going to repair all the problem areas.” However, added Prentice, “they said that before.”

The city entered into an $18-million contract with Taylor Woodrow in February, 1988, to build the picturesque, Moorish-style facility downtown, at Hill and Third streets. The complex contains a library, community meeting room, City Hall, City Council chambers and parking.

Problems arose before the Civic Center was finished and the city has pressed Taylor Woodrow to make repairs.

“City representatives have continuously and repeatedly demanded performance by Taylor Woodrow,” said the report, “and, although some work has been performed, significant work remains.”

The report contains a list of 25 items needing correction, including $644,000 to fix the streaked exterior finish, $471,723 for poorly fitted doors and $197,404 for roofing. Repairs total $2.1 million.

“This is work that hasn’t been completed, is defective or needs attention,” Prentice said.

Taylor Woodrow ran into a different controversy last year when the Orange County Board of Supervisors fired the firm from a $25-million road and parking garage contract for the John Wayne Airport expansion.

The project was eight months behind schedule, and Taylor Woodrow filed a lawsuit seeking damages and claiming the county was partly to blame for delays.

According to Prentice’s report, the city tried unsuccessfully to get Taylor Woodrow to provide documentation as part of a formal request for final inspection of the Civic Center and receiving the last payment of $785,648 for the project.

So the city had somebody else conduct the final inspection, which, said the report, “indicated defective and nonconforming work.”

Prentice recommended withholding the last payment and letting Taylor Woodrow know it owes additional money to complete work and make repairs. He said if Taylor Woodrow doesn’t do the additional work, the city can finish the project or hire another contractor.

“Basically, it’s up to Taylor Woodrow to determine what’s going to happen,” Prentice said.

He was encouraged by Mac Daid’s willingness to settle the dispute, saying, “Hopefully, they’ll (problems) be resolved. I don’t know yet.”

If city officials aren’t satisfied, Oceanside might pursue earlier threats to take legal action against the contractor. Beside the sum to complete work, the city claims it is owed $904,000 in damages because of Taylor Woodrow’s alleged actions. The damages are for rental costs for furniture storage, office space lease payments and architectural and construction fees.

Mayor Larry Bagley said Friday the report brings the city “a step closer” to litigation against the contractor.

“The reason I’m not real upset about this, I think we have a paper trail on this project” proving the contractor’s responsibility, Bagley said.

The City Council will discuss the issue next Wednesday.