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Fingerhut: Construction reform would save communities, universities money

Hugh Quill, director of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (left), with Eric D. Fingerhut, chancellor of Ohio Board of Regents. Staff photo by Ty Greenlees

Ty Greenlees/Staff Photographer Hugh Quill, director of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (left), with Eric D. Fingerhut, chancellor of Ohio Board of Regents. Staff photo by Ty Greenlees

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By Lynn Hulsey, Staff Writer Updated 1:58 AM Tuesday, April 14, 2009

DAYTON — Comprehensive reform of Ohio’s construction contracting rules would save state and local governments and public universities an estimated 10 percent to 20 percent on construction projects, according to Eric Fingerhut, chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents.

A report issued by the Ohio Construction Reform Panel went to Gov. Ted Strickland on Friday, and will be presented to the Ohio Legislature. Fingerhut and two other state officials discussed the report Monday, April 13, with the Dayton Daily News editorial board.

Adoption of the reforms would reduce the time it takes to complete construction on the $3 billion in projects the state funds annually, said Hugh Quill, director of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services. A third of that goes to the state’s public colleges and universities.

Fingerhut hopes the Legislature will adopt the report as is because it represents compromises among stakeholders on what has been a hot-potato issue. The panel included representatives of contractors, trade unions, construction and real estate trade groups.

Similar reforms were already adopted for the Ohio Department of Transportation, but legislation to expand reform to state and local government contracting has always failed, Fingerhut said.

The reforms would allow the hiring of construction managers earlier in the process and expand their role, change how the risks involved in a project are shared, and allow projects to finish sooner.

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Bruce is correct. Reporting is more than printing the first portion of a press release. It is finding and presenting facts. This fluff should never be presented by a serious newspaper as "news", it should be a paid ad.

Dave
9:17 AM, 4/14/2009

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Did DDN actually pay this reporter to do this . It reads like something a 6th grader would produce!

Hnry
8:47 AM, 4/14/2009

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Add me in their as well. This reporter's story is
very vague and leaves one with more unanswered
questions than facts or details. It sounds as
if the CM's representative group is pushing for
more control and less liability to the public
while spinning the tune of saving $$$ and time -
to which I say bunk! Fingerhut is just another
pol who has no idea where and what reality is.

Rough around the Edges
8:28 AM, 4/14/2009

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I'm with Bruce on this one... I'm also in the commercial construction industry and have yet to see a "Construction Manager" that wasn't a fat cat that didn't do anything but increase the cost of a project while slowing down it's progress. Just who in the hell is on this board with Fingerhut? If any of you out there think us in Ohio's thriving construction industry are getting rich, I have some land about 50 miles east of Naples, Florida you got to take a look at!

Neil Brown
6:34 AM, 4/14/2009

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Could you possibly be more vague in what the reforms are? You are a reporter, this is an important story, and you are allowed to expand on who, what, where, when and why. My question would be, since construction reform has met failure in the past, whom has been obstructionist and not allowed the savings to the taxpayer? What levels of corruption by any party involved have robbed the taxpayers of efficiency? How are the reforms going to produce savings? Give us details not little soundbites.

bruce wilkes
6:05 AM, 4/14/2009

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