The Public Works Department worked on or outsourced 329 construction engineering projects in 2012, despite having several “vacant vital posts” and needing new heavy equipment, according to the department’s annual report.
The department, whose 227-person staff includes architects, engineers, building inspectors, construction workers and administrators, took on 25 temporary apprentices, according to the report. After about six months of training, fieldwork and evaluations, six were hired, the report states.
The department demolished a “structurally compromised building,” according to the report. Structural engineers hired to assess the building, which had been home to architecture, quantity surveying, administration and accounts units, said that in the case of an earthquake, there could have been “catastrophic failure of the building.” A replacement building was started during 2012 that would house the displaced officers and include a large meeting area.
Also during 2012, PWD spent about $6.5 million on petty contracts, with $5.5 million of that going to projects in single districts. The rest of the petty contract spending went to 37 purchases of PWD equipment, supplies or gasoline.
See the Dec. 5, 2013 edition for full coverage.
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