West Goshen Public Works Garage Discussed

The public works garage project has caused a lot of local controversy.  Many residents have expressed concerns over the project’s cost and necessity.

At last Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Supervisors, Christian Leinbach of Kaiser Construction went over the project and answered questions from residents in attendance.

Many residents are concerned that the project is costing the township money it doesn’t have.  The township did have a $1.5 million shortfall in its budget last year  and many residents want to know how the township can afford the $5.2 million project.

The project was originally projected to cost around $3.3 million.   Both Leinbach and township supervisor Dr. Robert White acknowledged that there was a jump in price.

The township had originally planned to build a facility that was 26,000 square feet; however, according to Dr. White, the township decided to increase the size of the garage to 40,000 square feet.

Leinbach said that this accounts for the jump in price.  Leinbach also said that the increase in square footage would make the garage viable for at least 20 years.

Leinbach also said that the township saved money because his firm gets paid up front.

A lot of construction companies get paid on a percentage scale.  If a job goes over budget, they are paid a percentage of that overage.

Leinbach’s firm agreed to build the garage for $5.2 million, and if there are any overages that comes out of the firm’s pockets, not the township’s.

Leinbach also said that while some of the garage’s features have a large up front cost many of them have a return on investment in the range of three to five years.

For example, the new garage will feature a radiant heat system.  Leinbach said that while this system is expensive to install, the energy efficient system will pay for itself through money saved. 

Leinbach also said that the architects and designers involved in the project were held to the same up front pay system that his construction firm abides by.