Volatile steel prices pose problem for contractor

With the demolition work at the site of the new city hall complete, sharply rising prices for steel construction products are putting stress on the contractor.
At the March 8 Henderson Town Council meeting, architect Dione Sonnier, with Angelle Architects, said that volatile steel prices have contractor R.S. Bernard and Associates on edge about the project. With the COVID-19 pandemic, close on the heels of an unusually busy 2020 hurricane season, a price spike could come at just the wrong time.
Sonnier said the contractor is working with steel price quotes that are now held steady for just seven days. Contract estimates the contractor submits to Angelle have to remain in effect for 30 days after they are delivered. In a worst-case scenario, this could wipe out a significant part of the profit from the job.
Mayor Sherbin Collette commented that he had heard the price could rise by as much as 40 percent, but that making the purchase from suppliers in less-affected regions might help. The architect said there is little risk of the contractor walking away from the job, but that extreme reaction has been mentioned.
Councilman Jody Meche suggested consulting with state legislators about lobbying for price-stabilization measures on steel construction products in the U.S. Congress. Sonnier said her company is looking into the validity of the price increases to ensure that suppliers are not taking unfair advantage as construction activity resumes in the region.

Roundabouts
St. Martin Parish has submitted preliminary computer renderings of its designs for the landscaping of the two I-10/LA 347 roundabouts.
The surprisingly high, lush design includes a ground-level brick circular wall surrounded by grass. Inside that, encircled by plantings is a smaller, higher brick circle topped by four large bowl-shaped planters.
Collette said that his intent is to place the words “Welcome to Henderson” on one of the lower walls and “Gateway to the Atchafalaya” on the other. The same phrases will appear in French on the opposite sides.

In other business:
•A request by Collette Street resident Harry Foreman for an occupational license to operate a paint and body shop at his home was put on hold pending further review. Mayor Collette said the town received 15 complaints about activities at the location just last year.
•A cease and desist order has been prepared for delivery to a property owner who has been selling partially reconditioned, formerly condemned mobile homes without having them inspected and approved for occupancy.
•The rerouting of a culvert that empties into Bayou Amy at Canal Street has received U.S. Corps of Engineers approval and is awaiting the go-ahead from the Levee Board and a temporary servitude for equipment access.