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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