Public Square is getting more expensive — again.
On Tuesday, the Watertown City Council is expected to act on a $497,970 change order for the additional costs for asphalt, fuel and other miscellaneous work done for the square's reconstruction.
This is the fifth change order and, if approved, will bring the cost of the project to more than $7 million.
While federal and state grants pay for roughly $4.5 million, the rest is being paid for by the city. At the project's inception, taxpayers were expected to pay only about $1 million.
The city accepted a $4.7 million bid from Villager Construction, Fairport, in April 2006. Including design and inspection costs, the project was expected to cost $5.4 million. Here's how the bill for Public Square has grown since work began:
■ July 17, 2006: $321,075 to replace a subsurface concrete slab that runs from the YMCA building to State Street. New total: $5.7 million.
■ Feb. 5, 2007: $215,833 to fill vaults that were previously unaccounted for, replace water lines and build support walls for the buildings above the vaults. New total: $5.9 million.
■ Sept. 4, 2007: $128,071 to install connections to 14 electrical services along the north side of Public Square and redesign a traffic signal. New total: $6.1 million.
■ June 2, 2008: $536,004 for additional work on traffic signals, to replace a water main near Stone Street and for increasing costs for petroleum-based products. New total: $6.6 million.
■ Tuesday: $497,970 for increased costs of fuel and asphalt ($313,136). Other expenses include $94,756 for various materials for water infrastructure and $90,077 for fill and disposal of excavated materials. New total: $7.1 million
It is unclear if inspection and design fees have increased since 2006. A call to city Engineer Kurt W. Hauk was not returned Friday.
In a memo from Mr. Hauk to City Manager Mary M. Corriveau, the city engineer stated that $125,000 can be saved by removing two sections of synthetic asphalt from the speed tables.
The tables stretch about 100 feet on each side of Public Square and are elevated to slow traffic. The synthetic asphalt will make the tables a darker color, distinguishing them from the rest of the road. The council agreed to keep that portion of the synthetic asphalt at a March work session.
Kenneth A. Lanning, the project's manager, has not returned numerous calls in recent weeks requesting information about the project.
Earlier this week, workers began installing bollards that will protect pedestrians and the center traffic island from wayward cars. Brick pavers are being installed along the south side of Public Square.
Parking will be prohibited in the square beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday for a majority of the week while Villager begins paving the top course of asphalt. Any vehicles parked in restricted areas will be towed. Parking in designated areas will likely begin on Friday.
Municipal lots are on Stone, State, Arcade, Court, Newell West, Newell East and Union streets. The J.B. Wise parking lot, which abuts Public Square to the north, also is available.
