The long and
winding road to a bigger and
better Ocean Center just got a little smoother.
After a setback caused by skyrocketing costs
and a shortage of qualified bids, Volusia
County Manager Jim Dinneen and county staff
have rolled up their sleeves and taken the reins
of the ambitious expansion project.
Back in March, bids for the vertical
construction for expansion of the meeting,
convention and sports complex came in $8
million over budget, according to Ocean
Center Director Rick Hamilton. “The solution
was to increase the scope of work of the Ocean
Center owner’s representative partnership
–OCORP — by adding responsibility for onsite
supervision and day-to-day oversight of
subcontractors.” Additional duties also have
been assigned to the architects, TVS, Atlanta,
specifically some inspections. The
restructuring of the project’s construction
means that Volusia County Government and
OCORP are now leading the Ocean Center
expansion project and the original
construction management contractor,
Hardin/Peck, no longer is involved.
The plan was approved by Volusia County
Council in June. At that time, the County
Manager was granted authority to spend up to
$76 million, a move designed to circumvent
further delays if certain pieces of the project
come in over budget. Internalizing the project’s
bidding and management to the county means
a considerable savings of sales tax since all
purchases by county government are tax
exempt. Saving the fees that were to be paid by
an outside construction management
company creates additional savings.
“We are grateful for the support of the
County Council and we are pleased to be
moving forward with the project as originally
conceived,” said Hamilton. “New bids are
being solicited and will be reviewed in
September.”
Meanwhile, sales and marketing efforts are
under way to assure a full calendar of events
well into the future. Literature promoting the
Ocean Center as a meeting and convention
venue is being inserted into 25 trade
magazines. In addition, 55,000 direct mail
pieces are being sent to prospective meeting
and event planners.
Hamilton said the expanded Ocean Center
is creating considerable interest from potential
clients.
