Original article by TheIndianapolis Star-Editorials

Our position is: Taxpayers should not have to pay for mistakes made in Central library construction.

The blame game begins for the $102.7 million central library expansion project, halted because of defects that have left cracks and holes in the concrete foundation.

Construction on the six story building's steel frame, which will rest on the reinforced concrete structure of a two level underground parking garage, can't resume until the concrete is replaced or repaired. Problems apparently occured because metal reinforcements used to strengthen the concrete were placed too close to each other, making it difficult to fill in the gaps. Work has been at a standstill for months while engineers study the extent of the damage.

Currently Indianapolis' largest public works project, the expansion will be financed by a to $59.7 million in property taxes and $43 million in private donations.

Library officials have suspended Ohio based Shook LLC, which holds the $6.9 million contract for the garage work.  The company said it will cover repair costs for problems which it is responsible, but a Shook statements insisted it had followed the engineers instructions and made construction manager Turner, Trotter, Shiel, Sexton aware of design "issues".

There are many players in this complicated game: library officials, TTSS, Shook, other contractors, the design team of architects and engineers, the projects independent testing agency-and the taxpayers.  Though construction experts are'nt assigning blame yet, finger-pointing is well underway.  Whats not in doubt is that the project, scheduled for completion in 2006, will be delayed at least by months and likely will end up in court.

Besides ensuring a properly built central library, it is important that taxpayers not be forced to pay for errors in construction. Fix the problems, charge those responsible and get on with the project as quickly as possible.