(The Center Square) — Shreveport paid $1.2 million to redo a water tower, and now additional work is needed, which concerns city council members when taxpayers are faced with a $3 million price tag for all three towers in the project.
“I think my biggest concern is it doesn’t even look like it has been redone,” said Councilman Grayson Boucher during Tuesday’s city council meeting.
Interim Director of Shreveport’s Development of Water and Sewerage Brandon Snead spoke to the city council regarding the project details.
According to Snead, the project included $415,000 for exterior paint, $60,000 for the logo, $75,000 for pressure washing beforehand, and $300,000 for the repaint, totaling $1.2 million for the Linwood Road water tower.
“There is no way that the City of Shreveport paid $1.3 million for less than six months to go back to a tower that needs to be repainted, power-washed or have a low-grade quality paint,” said Councilwoman Tabitha Taylor.
Taylor requested that City Attorney Marcus Edwards become involved if any legal recourse is needed.
According to the council, the tower was completed in February and is already showing signs of wear. The company doing the project requested an additional $75,000 to do another pressure wash job on the tower.
Councilman James Green asked for a list of those involved in making the bid selection and an answer to why it did not go through the A&E committee.
“It’s our job to ask questions. It’s not my money. It’s the taxpayers’ money,” said Councilwoman Ursula Bowman.
Mayor Tom Arceneaux announced in July of last year that the designs for each tower had been chosen after they had a redesign contest.
Snead and others had a call discussing the design of the tank, how it was painted, and the layers of paint used. The project was awarded and funded before Snead took the position.
