Written by Carol P. Bartold

 
Feb. 4, 2015: After more than a month-long hiatus, construction on The Bronxville School's auditorium is scheduled to begin again this week.

Fasano Acchione & Associates has been appointed general contractor for the project in place of the original general contractor, Kenstar Construction.

Dan Carlin, assistant superintendent for business, stated that International Fidelity Insurance Company, surety for the project, made the appointment in response to a demand from the district to complete the work. As surety, the company guarantees that the terms of the construction contract will be fulfilled.

"The board of education and I are very pleased that our construction team and our attorney were able to manage a very complicated situation so well and so quickly," Superintendent Dr. David Quattrone said. "All parties have come together with a cooperative spirit and a common commitment to completing this project with a minimal loss of time."

The Bronxville Board of Education, at its December meeting, terminated the contract with Kenstar Construction. Kenstar had abandoned the job after a dispute with International Fidelity Insurance Company.

Carlin anticipates completion of the auditorium proper by the end of May and stated that the exterior and lobby should reach completion by the second week in June. At that point, he said, remaining work should consist of some minor touch-ups and installation of some handrails.

"Should it rain," he said, "graduation can be in the auditorium."

Carlin previously noted that terminating Kenstar did not create any financial burden for the district, as the district had paid the contractor less than 50 percent of the contract cost. At the time of termination, construction stood approximately 60 percent complete.

The board terminated the contract on the basis of Kenstar's failure to supply sufficient skilled workers and suitable material or equipment to complete the work in a diligent and skillful manner; failure to make prompt payments to subcontractors for labor, materials, and/or equipment in accordance with agreements; failure to furnish the district with assurances satisfactory to evidence its ability to complete the work in compliance with all construction document requirements; and failure to otherwise comply with contract documents.

Pictured here: The construction site of the school auditorium in August of 2014.

Photo by A. Warner