Comments on: 5th St and Water St. promenade construction: ready or not for DJJD? http://locallygrownnorthfield.org/post/5199/ The people, issues, and events of Northfield, MN Thu, 24 May 2012 15:30:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Rob Hardy http://locallygrownnorthfield.org/post/5199/comment-page-1/#comment-66411 Rob Hardy Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:49:58 +0000 http://locallygrownnorthfield.org/archives/5199/#comment-66411 I talked to a downtown business owner this morning who thought the contractor wouldn't be fined because Fifth was open from Hwy 3 to Division and the city had only asked for access to downtown from the west by the start of DJJD. I talked to a downtown business owner this morning who thought the contractor wouldn’t be fined because Fifth was open from Hwy 3 to Division and the city had only asked for access to downtown from the west by the start of DJJD.

]]> By: Bright Spencer http://locallygrownnorthfield.org/post/5199/comment-page-1/#comment-66393 Bright Spencer Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:20:43 +0000 http://locallygrownnorthfield.org/archives/5199/#comment-66393 We drove through the old parking lot last week and it felt really, really, weird and I guess it was because of the missing trees. :( We drove through the old parking lot last week and it felt really, really, weird and I guess it was because of the missing trees. :(

]]> By: John Thomas http://locallygrownnorthfield.org/post/5199/comment-page-1/#comment-66380 John Thomas Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:48:49 +0000 http://locallygrownnorthfield.org/archives/5199/#comment-66380 Close only counts in the game of Horseshoes, and the tossing of hand grenades... so, I would have to say yes. There were many days and afternoons where it appeared that there was no activity going on down there. In business, dates are critical, regardless of the excuses involved. I know there are many reasons why the project was not completed on time, but a contract is a contract, and the penalty must be paid. The problem is, if the contractor(s) are fined, whats to stop them from re-couping that fine expense deep in the inevitable change orders or overruns? It is a double-edged sword. I will say, that our downtown looks no where near as presentable as it usually does. It looks better, but the dirt, obstacles, and all the orange is a big turnoff to tourists. As a townie, I know my way around. If I was here visiting, I would be going crazy trying to get around town. Close only counts in the game of Horseshoes, and the tossing of hand grenades… so, I would have to say yes.

There were many days and afternoons where it appeared that there was no activity going on down there.

In business, dates are critical, regardless of the excuses involved. I know there are many reasons why the project was not completed on time, but a contract is a contract, and the penalty must be paid.

The problem is, if the contractor(s) are fined, whats to stop them from re-couping that fine expense deep in the inevitable change orders or overruns?

It is a double-edged sword.

I will say, that our downtown looks no where near as presentable as it usually does. It looks better, but the dirt, obstacles, and all the orange is a big turnoff to tourists.

As a townie, I know my way around. If I was here visiting, I would be going crazy trying to get around town.

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