On August 13, 2020, City Council approved a contract with arena construction manager AECOM/Hunt in the total amount of $147,583,181 to execute the following projects:

1. Construction of a 215,000-square-foot arena, in the amount of $132,921,886.
2. Sitework surrounding the arena, in the amount of $6,699,811.
3. Widening and reconstruction of Stiles Avenue from Gwinnett Street to the north side of the arena, in the amount of $3,910,793.
4. A new wastewater force main line to service the area, in the amount of $1,749,276.
5. Widening of the Springfield Canal and construction of bulkhead adjacent to the arena, in the amount of $2,301,416.

Despite one of the most challenging construction environments in history, with the onset of the global pandemic resulting in labor challenges, supply-chain disruptions, and rapid escalations in material costs, the arena was completed within budget and opened by the projected hard opening date in February 2022. Much of the infrastructure projects surrounding the arena, however, encountered severe challenges, primarily caused by unforeseen below-ground conditions and obstructions, as well as impacted soils. 

This project close-out contract modification totaling $4,593,897 with AECOM/Hunt reflects increased costs and City-requested changes associated with two of the infrastructure projects, in addition to additional services requested by the City outside the project boundaries to make the former City Lot adjacent to the arena safe for the public and vehicular traffic. With the modifications, the final AECOM/Hunt costs will be about 2% above the contracted total. 

The three modifications are:  

1. Widening of Stiles Avenue. Modification amount: $2,283,997. 

The original contract included the widening of Stiles Avenue from two lanes to four lanes from Gwinnett Street to the railroad tracks just north of the arena, relocating and improving utilities, adding of a median, sidewalks and bike lane, landscaping and hardscaping, pavement markings, and installation of signage to support the widening. This contract modification is needed due to constructability items, clarifications in plans and City-requested infrastructure changes to better meet future neighborhood needs, and unforeseen conditions relating to the roadwork. Increased costs are associated with: 

• Handling and transporting 380 tons of non-hazardous impacted soils off-site to a Subtitled D landfill.
• Undercut, excavation and hauling of 4,500 square yards of subgrade material on the eastern two lanes as recommended by the 3^rd Party Testing Agency due to unstable clay soils.
• Addition of geofabric material and 2 feet of fill material to bring back up to grade.
• Discovery of unforeseen 72-inch historic brick water line, which required testing and redesign of new gravity sewer line.
• New fencing along Stiles Avenue at City Lot to separate City Lot personnel prior to their move to #8 Interchange Court.
• Addition of bioswales (landscape features that collect polluted stormwater runoff, soak it into the ground, and filter out pollution) to help with subgrade drainage. 
• Addition of Viton gaskets (gaskets that provide outstanding resistance to heat) for the 8-inch and 10-inch water mains as requested by City.
• Upsizing the 15-inch and 18-inch RCP piping to 24-inch and 30-inch to better serve surrounding neighborhood.
• Upsizing water main from 6-inch and 12-inch to 8-inch, 10-inch and 16-inch to better serve surrounding neighborhood.
• Upsizing PVC sewer pipe from 8-inch to 15-inch.

2. Sitework surrounding Arena. Modification amount: $792,661. 

Multiple underground unforeseen conditions were encountered during the construction of the Arena. They are as follows:

• Excavation, removal, offsite hauling and disposal of 3,476 tons of buried concrete and old tire debris.
• Provision of backfill with suitable soils to replace and bring to grade.
• Rerouting of underground piping to avoid buried tank obstructions.
• Discovery of a 32-inch RCP line at same elevation as sanitary line in City Lot near old truck wash that was resolved by installing conflict structure box.

3. Additional requested services beyond project limits. Modification amount: $1,517,239.

The City Lot exterior improvements were an added scope service. The improvements are as follows:

• Demolition and removal of dilapidated buildings at old City Lot.
• Removal of old concrete foundations from former buildings.
• Grading of site to make the entire City Lot ADA accessible including around the newly installed pedestrian bridge.
• Hauling off excessive dirt, muck and debris.
• Installation of graded aggregate base (GAB) in low/unstable areas.
• Placement of surface asphalt for light vehicular traffic.
• Redesign of hardscape area to accommodate public art.
• Installation of temporary fence along the eastern edge to separate the public from construction work on the Springfield Canal bulkhead.

Approval