3-2-15 uw fdl re-evaluating decision to hire iowa developer for student housing project

The UW Fond du lac Dean says the university is re-evaluating its decision to hire an Iowa developer to build a new student housing facility on the UW Fond du lac campus.  Dean John Short says all options are on the table after Bluffstone asked for a delay on the Fond du lac project following problems at similar projects at the Marshfield and Baraboo schools.  The project was slated for completion in time for the start of next school year.  Now Short says regardless of whether its Bluffstone or a new developer  its likely a new student housing project won’t be done until the start of the 2016 school year.  Short says at the time Bluffstone was the only company that submitted requests for proposals that had a design, build operate proposal.  Niether the Baraboo nor Marshfield buildings have occupancy permits from a building inspector, even though students are living in them.  Aside from occupancy delays, subcontractors have complained about the lack ofpayment involving Baraboo and Marshfield projects.  Bluffsstone partner Tim Baldwin says the Kentucky company that contracted the subs did not pay them.