Council members approved a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) acceptance and related appropriation request on Jan. 23 to accelerate storm-damage repairs at the Al Lang / Rowdies facility.
Presentation and scope: The city’s project team presented images and assessments of wind and flood damage from the recent hurricane that affected multiple levels of the facility, including interior spaces, changing rooms, training and therapy areas, and electrical equipment. The majority of early work will focus on health-and-safety and game-day operational needs (player and referee changing rooms, restrooms, and essential systems). Presenters described a phased delivery approach and material changes to improve future resilience (polyurethane floor coatings, alternative sheetrock, elevated transformers and electrical upgrades).
Cost and funding: Staff said they sought acceptance of a GMP from Create Building Company just over $3,000,000 and requested an appropriation of approximately $3.6 million from a $50,000,000 cash-flow loan to fund immediate work. Project staff told council they are also receiving insurance advances that will be factored into the final accounting. “We have asked for an appropriation here of the 3.6 from the $50,000,000 cash flow loan,” staff said; the administration noted some resources received from insurers may be applied to these expenses.
Questions and council reaction: Council members asked about insurance interactions and technical details (interior drains, electrical panel corrosion). Staff described a phased approach that prioritizes elements that do not require permits so the facility can be return to operational status more quickly; permit-dependent electrical/HVAC work will proceed in parallel where possible.
Vote and next steps: Council approved the GMP and appropriation motion unanimously. Staff said they aim to return facility elements to operational capacity by March to support Rowdies game-day operations, with continued work on resilience and full restoration following the initial phase.
What to watch: How insurance settlements are applied to the appropriation, permit timelines for electrical/HVAC work, and actual schedule to reach operational readiness for team use.