BVI News

Cost of elevator work at Admin Complex was lower than estimated

Following the completion of the requisite tender process, the much-talked-about cost to install the elevator at the Ralph T O’Neal Administration Complex returned lower than what engineers had estimated.

While answering questions from the media last week, the Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said he did not have the exact figures of the engineers’ estimates. But he said those projected costs were well in excess of $1 million and the figure that came back after the tender process was approximately $100,000 less.

Back in April, Cabinet awarded the $1,076,796.99 contract to Building Construction Management Ltd for the procurement, installation, and commissioning of a new elevator for the West Atrium of the administration complex.

The Premier noted the refurbishment of the admin complex is important because the government needs to get its workers home.

“Many of us have been scattered across the town and of course, that has financial implications as well as you are renting an office. The Minister for Communications and Works [Kye Rymer] did give a statement in the House of Assembly explaining in detail that this elevator has been a subject of public discussion. That the elevator did come back lower than the independent estimates,” the Premier said.

“This also went through a process through the central tender board. It is important that we use the tender process to ensure value for money for the people of the Virgin Islands. So, a Cabinet decision has been made and the tender has been awarded to a successful tenderer. It gives value for money and based on the independent engineer estimate it actually came in lower,” Dr Wheatley added.

He reiterated that the government is committed to finishing the restoration of the Ralph T O’Neal Administration Complex so government offices can return to the complex and save some money.

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17 Comments

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  1. Hmmm says:

    This amount still seems excessive for an elevator that travels between two floors. Sorry can’t accept this.

    Like 40
  2. Unbelievable says:

    Most expensive elevator in the World! Great start for the Unity Govt!!

    Like 28
  3. Biasness & onesideness says:

    This elevator wall cost way more than Myron’s wall and Fraser’s harbor project but yet the silence is deafening

    Like 30
  4. WOW says:

    THIS ELEVATOR COST MORE THAN THE ONE IN THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

    Like 15
    Dislike 1
  5. No free ride says:

    Sell tickets to use the excessively expensive elevator. $20 to go up and $1 to go down.

    Also $5 package fee and $5 environmental fee to go up and down.

    Also $1/lb overweight fee for any weights over 150 lbs. to go up and down.

    CAB elevator could pay for itself in less than a year for moving overweight, inactive civil servants vertically 30 ft. who don’t know how to use stairs.

    Like 23
  6. Cay says:

    Do not compare the elevator to Myron wall which the coi said was corruption

    Plus Myron is a island man and kye a local

    Dislike 22
  7. Really says:

    So these people are still taking us for fools? Corruption all around, independent estimates and tender board! God have mercy on the BVI.

    Like 15
  8. Rubber Duck says:

    One of the kickback recipients is currently unable to accept cash due to unforseen circumstances in Miami.

    Like 14
  9. say 1 say 2 says:

    Same culprit who frigup the traffic

  10. watchdog says:

    HOW COME THIS ELIVATOR COST MORE THAN THOSE TALL BUILDINGS IN CONDADO PUERTO RICO?LA CONCHA TWIN ELIVATOR WITH SHAFT COST 350,000 USD. 900,000 USD FOR AN ELIVATOR IS STILL TOO MUCH AND SO GOVT ARE NOT GETTING VALUE FOR MONEY .

  11. tax payer says:

    https://www.dayelevator.com › how-much-does-commercial-elevator-cost
    commercial elevators in US cost about 100K per floor.
    lets be generous and say 200K.
    i believe it would be good for workers on second floor to use stairs. use the 1 million on a school.

  12. omg says:

    someone is shafting someone with this world most expensive elevator.
    the govt, the contractor and or the vendor (supplier) one of these 3 WOULD HAVE GOT TO KNOW THAT AN ELEVATOR IS NOT THAT EPENSIVE EVEN WITH THE COST TO PUT THE SHAFT, I SAY SOMEONE GETTING “SHAFT”

  13. coincidence says:

    This is the first government contract I can remember that has come in under budget. Is it a coincidence that the UK is watching

  14. Whose Elevator says:

    Who is the manufacturer, supplier, and any other middleman? This can be broken down easily, construction etc. Lets get the numbers and stop guessing.

  15. Shine light says:

    And the beat goes on! Lol. Why not spend that money fixing the schools? Or increasing benefits to seniors? Most people should take the steps and get some exercise in, anyway.

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