Racine DPW Asks To Bar Caledonia Firm From Bidding On City Projects

RACINE - At a City Council meeting last week, Racine Public Works Commissioner Mark Yehlen again asked the city to prevent future bids from Caledonia company Cornerstone Pavers on future Racine projects.

Yehlen said the issue was not Cornerstone's quality of work, but rather their inability to adhere to deadlines. He is seeking to find the company unqualified due to the fact they have been late on at least seven projects in the last decade in the city.

According to the Racine Journal Times, Yehlen said the city does save money by receiving fines from Cornerstone for missed deadlines, but the money gained does not outweigh the inconvenience to residents. One project was reported as being nearly two months late.

Another issue is the Wisconsin climate, which makes it difficult to work on roads when projects exceed deadlines into the winter months.

The issue was raised two weeks ago and three members of the Public Works and Services Committee affirmed his recognition but the issue was deferred at last week's Tuesday meeting until all five members could discuss the proposal.

Alderman Henry Perez disagreed with the decision to not inform anyone at Cornerstone about the recommendation, although he acknowledged they had no legal obligation to do so. Perez said residents initially complained about delays on a project in his district but changed their tune once they saw the quality of the work.

Cornerstone Project Manager Chris Cape was quick to defend the firm, citing weather and "a number of things" for the delays. Cape pointed out Cornerstone had saved the city more than $200,000 over the past two years by underbidding competitors.