Denver, CO – Denver International Airport (DIA), all of our writers HATE flying in and out of it (except one, but we’re convinced (s)he doesn’t put on their Tin-Foil Hat properly). We’ve written about DIA before and how the current expansion project is a debacle. Plus, if you’ve flown out of DIA recently, you have experienced first hand how DIA makes travel unwelcome.
So, since this was arguably the busiest travel weekend of the year, we thought it was time to give you an update on DIA construction shenanigans around the “Great Hall,” AKA the security area and trains.
We wrote back in June about how a mere year into the project, it was already 30 months behind. The cost overruns associated with that were going to be huge, and of course, they’re playing with taxpayer money. We discussed how most government construction projects have this problem.
The government can’t build things on time and on budget. We opined that this might be due to change orders by the client. A change order is basically changing the plans or designs mid-project because the government can’t get its act together. These changes usually increase costs and add time.
In August, there was a fire on the construction site that caused more delays. DIA’s leadership eventually responded by firing the contractor. Of course, there is zero accountability for the government, and the finger-pointing began. We again talked about the change orders. Now, we didn’t have any proof of this beyond the general knowledge of other government projects (and sometimes the private sector).
Well, the contractor sued, claiming it was DIA and its leadership that created the problem with the cost overruns. Also, DIA leadership was trying to micromanage the project…and there were a bunch of change orders! We hate being right…No; we don’t hate being right.
Kudos to The Denver Post for doing their job and filing an Open Records request to get this information. It’s clear that DIA (a quasi-governmental authority) is to blame.
But who suffers because of this mismanagement? We assume the contractor will be made whole, but the costs will be passed on to taxpayers. Let’s not forget that the added pain of traveling through DIA will continue for a few more years than planned.
In case you want more information, here is the newly selected contractor. Our least favorite liberal elected body, the Denver City Council approved the new contracts. This doesn’t surprise us, and it appears there may be some nepotism involved. Here’s a quote that makes us believe there’s something shady here, abstaining from a vote doesn’t mean you didn’t influence it:
Of the five companies awarded contracts, three were local, including Denver-based Gilmore Construction. The business is owned by the brother-in-law of Councilwoman Stacie Gilmore, who abstained in the 11-0-1 vote.
Alayna Alvarez, Colorado Politics, Nov 19, 2019
Sounds like old-school Chicago or New York City politics – somebody’s connected brother-in-law gets the contract.
What do you think? Put your thoughts in the comments here and on social media.
DIA – another reason we’re not fond of Denver. f you want to hear more about how bad Denver’s problems, click here.
Please share!
Remember to check back with the Colorado Citizen Press. We’re always looking for good stories to write. Please use our “Citizen Tip Line” early and often. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@COCitizenPress)!