City faces criticism from StreetScape concrete contractor

By Michael Pommier

The Fort Scott Tribune

Streetscape concerns addressed at Fort Scott's City Commission meeting Tuesday night may actually fall on the city's shoulders.

At Tuesday night's City Commission meeting commissioner Jim Adams expressed his concern for the poor quality of work done on the Downtown Streetscape Project, especially the concrete work around the manhole cover at the intersection of 1st Street and Scott Ave. which has begun to crack just three months after completion.

Adams put the blame on Professional Engineering Consultants, P.A. and their inspector for allowing the project to be built without meeting specifications.

The comments by the commissioner had a negative impact on Marbery Concrete Construction, Inc. of Fort Scott who was responsible for the concrete work on the project.

"He just doesn't have all the facts; he didn't have anything to do with the construction process," Jason Marbery, of Marbery Concrete Construction, Inc. said.

According to Marbery, the city was responsible for the concrete work at that intersection. He said the city was supposed to pour all the concrete surrounding the manholes but was only able to complete one.

"We did all the concrete work down there except that one," Marbery said.

Marbery said he wanted to stop the negative comments because everybody knows they were the ones working on the project.

"We're local guys, we have to make a living around here," Marbery said. "We don't need any bad publicity, especially when it's not true."

Fort Scott City Manager Joe Turner said the Public Works Department is aware of the issue. He added that Director of Public Works Eric Bailey is investigating the situation.

Both Bailey and Adams were not available for comment Wednesday.