By Raychael Moseley / Managing Editor

Marshall Municipal Utilities is expecting approximately $60,000 in additional costs for its new Customer Connect Center after storm water requirements and a water main relocation were identified during construction. 

General manager Jeff Bergstrom updated the board of public works on the project during its Sept. 9 meeting, saying Septagon Construction has started dirt work and most excavation beneath the shop area has been completed. 

Bergstrom said some additional work associated with existing foundations and footings was anticipated because part of the project sits over the former power plant. 

“We knew that the likelihood of something like this coming up was pretty good,” Bergstrom said. 

A larger additional cost is expected to come from stormwater detention requirements. 

“I haven’t seen anything formal, but verbally, were looking at about $50,000,” Bergstrom said. 

Another $10,000 dollars was estimated for relocating a water main. MMU underground facilities staff are expected to handle the relocation rather than having the contractor perform the work. 

The additional work is related in part to stormwater requirements triggered by new hard-surface areas being added through the project. 

Bergstrom said the additional costs could be covered using money already included in the project’s contingencies rather than changing its guaranteed maximum price. 

Using the contingency would also avoid the need to change the construction contract and return to the Marshall City Council for approval of the change. 

Construction on the Customer Connect Center began on August 31.