IMAGE VIA ADJAYE AND ASSOCIATES
The Winter Park Library & Events Center (Website), a $42.3 million facility that opened in late 2021, is now sharing a number of concerns and formal complaints alongside city officials over some alleged construction issues.
Built by national contractor Brasfield & Gorrie (Website) and designed by acclaimed architect Sir David Adjaye (Website), the building was heralded as a major civic investment at the time of is construction. However, the city has identified numerous issues including fracturing panoramic glass, persistent roof leaks, elevator malfunctions, and structural problems with the porte-cochère. Additional complaints cite faulty lighting, HVAC issues, and plumbing fixtures that were not installed to specifications.
City Manager Randy Knight recently informed the City Commission that these problems, twelve of which have been formally itemized, are serious enough to warrant a legal safeguard. The city has issued a formal notice of default to the contractor and its insurers, which preserves Winter Park’s right to pursue legal action if the defects are not resolved. While city staff continue to meet frequently with Brasfield & Gorrie in hopes of remediation, they are preparing for the possibility of litigation to recover costs.
The facility was funded in part through a $30 million bond referendum approved by voters in 2016. Subsequent budget increases, including post-pandemic adjustments and a $300,000 contribution from the American Rescue Plan, brought the total cost to over $42 million. Which obviously didn’t make Winter Park voters very happy.
Brasfield & Gorrie acknowledged the city’s concerns in a public statement, shared by Winter Park Voice, noting that it is actively working with officials to resolve the issues.
