Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 3, 1994 TAG: 9402030038
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Ray Reed
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A: That subcontract was not put out for formal bids.
Bob Schneider, project manager for general contractor Turner/Thompson, said negotiations were held with potential subcontractors in several building trades, and Property Maintenance Corp. "had better prices than anyone else we negotiated with."
Property Maintenance Corp. is a Roanoke-based company organized in 1975 that has worked on large projects in several states. This is its first major Roanoke construction contract.
PMC is a black-owned company, but Schneider said there were no quotas or set-aside requirements imposed by the federal government on the Hotel Roanoke project. PMC simply negotiated the best prices and had the necessary qualifications and work experience, Schneider said.
This subcontract also helps fulfill a plan adopted by Roanoke City Council in 1992 that requires general contractors to use some minority- or women-owned businesses as subcontractors or suppliers.
The city and general contractors set a goal that 50 percent of the hotel's subcontracting work would go to local businesses - 9 percent of which would go to minority-owned firms. This $3 million contract represents 13 percent of construction costs.
PMC will do roofing, drywall, spray fireproofing, concrete finishing and paint work.
Expensive political power
Q: Several weeks ago, I read in the paper where [Del. Richard] Cranwell spent $193,000 to get re-elected. How much do they pay those guys down there in Richmond? R.C.
A: House of Delegates members are paid $17,640. Cranwell, as majority leader, receives another $8,370 that can be used only to hire an additional secretary or aide.
Few people seek political office for the salary, of course, and money that might come into lawmakers' private business because of whom they know seldom equals what they could generate on their own.
The compelling force in this election was political power. Cranwell, D-Roanoke County, has 22 years of influence in Richmond, and the opposition wanted to carve it out and divvy up the pieces east of U.S. 29.
That's politics.
Cranwell wasn't spending his own money, though. Approximately 200 individuals, companies and interest groups gave more than $195,000 to his campaign against Republican Bud Brumitt. It was the most ever spent for a House seat in Western Virginia.
School speed zones
Q: Why are there different speed limits for the school zones at Raleigh Court Elementary (15 mph) and Virginia Heights Elementary (25 mph)? Both of these are on Grandin Road. D.H., Roanoke
A: The curve on Grandin near Avenel Avenue is the reason for this flashing 15-mph sign, which actually is fairly common. There are 30 school zones in the city, and 11 of them have 15-mph speed limits.
Got a question about something that may affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Maybe we can find the answer.
by CNB