Originally Posted by Guest

I did 2 jobs for HUD 2 years ago, a new 6 story and a remodel of 10 story building. Talk about wasted money!

The main entrances were $60K each and there were 2 on each building. The hardware specified was not chosen for value, if it was the most expensive that is what they spec'd. Even the industry standard 9" pull was not good enough for these people, they spec'd a 10" pull. The doors had $3700 closers (banks and schools use a $350 closer). The vinyl flooring was 3/8" thick (schools use 3/16" thick). They had outdoor patios on 2 of the upper floors (nice views!), all dolled up with gliders and conversation pits ...it was more like an expensive retirement condo building than a HUD building to house "residents" in free apartments.

The 6 story building has a 60' x 30' canopy that cost $300K over the main entrance, that way residents (and guests of residents) could be dropped off at the expensive entrance door when it is raining, and they would be more comfortable arriving to their free apartments. Only the person that parked their piece of $hit leaking oil car would have to get wet.

The whole time we worked on the buildings, no matter what time of day it was, there was a stream of "residents" in their pajamas heading to or from the "smoke shack". These are federal buildings, they are not supposed to smoke inside of them, so they build a shelter in the parking lot for the "residents" to smoke in. At 2pm, they are still in their pajamas (its not like they had to get up early and go to work)...but I am sure they are proud of the entrance doors that lead to their free apartment!

It took them over a year to get the contractors on the project paid. There was no outstanding items on the punchlist, the payouts were just dragged out and waiting for the funding.

This new person with business experience, sounds like a move in the right direction. The current management is extremely wasteful.