FRANKFORT, Ind. (April 17, 2024) – The north-side basement wall of the new Clinton County Annex that failed when concrete escaped the form – not allowing the wall to meet standards – had previously passed county inspection prior to the concrete pour.
During Tuesday’s commissioners meeting, commissioners President Jordan Brewer stated “the wall did not collapse.” Commissioner Bert Weaver previously stated it had when speaking during the April 9th County Council meeting.
Brewer added, “a form was not properly installed and it had a little plug that allowed for the concrete to leak out. It leaked out all weekend – we received the rain which then put pressure on the uncured portion of it and continued out.”
After the meeting Brewer was asked if there had been a determination that led to the issue.
“Human error,” Brewer responded. “I’ll just be honest – it was done on a Friday afternoon. If I am being really honest about it – we got lazy and wanted to get done as soon as possible and didn’t double check our work.
“I don’t believe there’s any inspection of the forms – like the inspection doesn’t come until after they’re pulled off and they inspect the work of the concrete. If I understand correctly.”
Clinton County Area Plan Commission executive director Liz Stitzel stated that her office inspected the rebar and forms prior to the concrete pour.
“When you inspect a wall – you inspect the forms and rebar to make sure everything is tied together before concrete is poured,” commented Stitzel. “So, we did that inspection. They poured the concrete and the pour failed. We were notified and we went out and documented it.”
The County is able to perform its own building inspection of the Annex despite the structure being built within the City of Frankfort via an inter-local agreement between the City and the County Area Plan Commission.
The north-side wall will be removed and repoured to correct the issue.
Both Brewer and County Council President Alan Dunn each stated taxpayers will not be asked to pay more as this additional cost is covered by Envoy – the company overseeing the project via the Build, Operate, Transfer procurement ad build process where overages that are deemed the result of Envoy will not be passed on to the county.
The $16+ Million, three-story building being built at the corners of Main St and Washington St is slated to be completed in early 2025.
