It’s full speed ahead for Ocean Center expansion; parking garage now
under county management
The expansion
of the Ocean Center, Volusia County’s entertainment, convention and
sports complex is moving forward after soaring costs triggered major
changes in the
management of the project.
When complete
in 2008, the size of the 225,000-square-foot complex will nearly
double and enable it to compete for more and better convention,
conferences, exhibits and events.
The
construction project is now under the direct management of Volusia
County
Government. “We brought management of the project inhouse in the
latest move to save money in the wake of soaring construction
costs,” said Rick Hamilton, Ocean
Center Director. County officials are overseeing the project with
support of the project’s architects and OCORP, the county’s owner
representative.
The site is ready for the expansion of the
Ocean Center; vertical construction will begin very soon
Specifically,
the decision to assume responsibility for management of the project
came after bids submitted to the former construction management
company exceeded the authorized budget. In the case of certain
elements of the project, no bids were submitted at all. County staff
and OCORP worked together to ensure the project would move forward
under direct management, while working to ensure expectations of the
public are met. The Volusia County Council embraced the concept of
Volusia County Government taking the lead on the project and gave
County Manager Jim Dinneen
authority to borrow up to $76 million to get the job done.
With County
Government assuming responsibility for management of the project,
construction management fees cease and there is no sales tax on
materials, resulting in substantial savings.
In addition to
assuming responsibility for construction management of the Ocean
Center expansion, the county also has taken over management of the
adjacent parking garage.
The
1,500-space facility was built for $12 million and began operations
in March, 2002.
A major marketing effort is under way to promote the expanded Ocean
Center. More than 350,000 inserts presenting the complex in its new
configuration have been inserted in 25 trade magazines, generating
more than 10,000 leads for potential bookings.
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