Explanation
Background: The Public Service Department, Transportation Division, oversaw the design of roadway improvements in the Arena District. This design work was performed by a consultant under contract to the division. The division entered into a reimbursement agreement with Nationwide Limited Realty for the latter to undertake the roadway construction for the sake of expediency and to coordinate the construction with the Arena opening. Nationwide bid the construction and selected Complete General Construction Company to construct the Vine Street Project. The Public Utilities Department, Sewerage and Drainage Division had a sewer separation project in the same area with a similar construction schedule. The decision was made to incorporate that work into the roadway improvement project.
Design plans did not indicate the location of an existing lateral sewer line that serviced 147 Vine Street. The plans showed the main sanitary sewer line was considerably deeper than the storm sewer line that was to be installed as part of the sewer separation project. In June 2000 Complete General installed a 36-inch storm sewer line in the street in front of 147 Vine Street, which was vacant at the time.
The Sewerage and Drainage Division received a complaint from Roman Czech, the owner of an entertainment venue at 147 Vine Street, on May 3, 2003, that a sewer back up had occurred during the opening of his club. An in-line television camera inspection of the building's sanitary sewer service subsequently revealed three collapsed sections of lateral sanitary sewer in the area where the 36-inch storm sewer had been installed. The Sewerage and Drainage Division rejected the complaint on the grounds that the lateral line had not appeared on the plans. The Transportation Division contended that the storm sewer was installed as part of the sewer separation project and was the Sewerage and Drainage Division's responsibility. The issue was debated without resol...
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