HomeMy WebLinkAboutA040 - Resolution approving staining or receiving a credit for the Precast Concrete Panels of the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic CenterITEM #:42
DATE:03-24-26
DEPT:P&R
SUBJECT:STAINING OF PRECAST CONCRETE PANELS AT FITCH FAMILY INDOOR
AQUATIC CENTER
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
At the October 28, 2025 City Council meeting, staff along with representatives from RDG and
Story Construction, described the mottled appearance of the gray, sinus wave precast
concrete panels on the exterior of the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center. Staff indicated this
was not the look the City was expecting and that RDG and Story were investigating possible
causes and potential resolutions to this problem.
RDG and Story investigated possible causes, which included:
1. Integral pigment/color admixture
2. Smooth cast panels may lead to mottling
3. Environmental factors such as sun exposure, airborne particulates, etc.
4. Detergent washing methods used onsite
5. Inconsistent concrete mixing
6. Form release agent could still be present on the wall panels
7. Efflorescence
8. Change in cement makeup in recent years.
Additionally, staff contracted with a concrete expert from the firm of Simpson, Gumpertz &
Heger (SGH) to obtain a professional opinion from concrete engineers. In addition to the
above items, SGH stated that differential drying time may be a contributing factor, but it is hard
to determine if it was a factor with these panels. RDG, Story, and SGH all agreed that no
matter what the cause, there are two potential solutions:
1. Time - Do nothing and see if the issue improves over time. SGH indicated they would
expect the mottling to reduce after one year, but that does not appear to be the case.
2. Stain - Applying a penetrating stain to cover the defects but will not take them away. The
darker the stain, the more the defects are hidden. SGH indicated stain is routinely used
on precast concrete panels.
In Attachment A, RDG's opinion is that the mottling of the sinus wave precast panels is due to
the contractor failing to include integral color in the panels as required in the specifications.
Additionally, the contractor failed to submit a design mix for the panels, which does not allow
for any additional reviews. For these reasons, RDG recommended staining the precast
concrete panels at the contractor's cost.
There have been multiple conversations with the Prime Contractor (Core Construction
Services, LLC) related to this issue. Story Construction sent a Notice to Cure letter
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(Attachment B) to Core on February 17. In this letter, it is stated that City Council will make the
final decision regarding either staining the precast concrete panels or receiving a credit for the
cost of this scope of work.
On Friday, March 6, 2026, staff received an email from Stephen D. Marso, Attorney for
Whitfield & Eddy Law, regarding the staining of the precast concrete panels. Staff also
received the same information included in the email in a certified letter on March 9, 2026. The
letter (Attachment C) states that Core and the precast supplier disagree with the City's claim
that the panels are non-conforming to the specifications. However, the letter does not provide
any evidence to support that position.
The letter further states that "Core will perform the demanded work, but it will do so under
protest. Core hereby gives notice of claims for all time and money related to the Precast
Appearance Issue and the demanded work. Core's rough estimate for its money claim is
$52,000 (plus markup); this is a rough estimate, and the actual costs could be lower or higher.
At this time, Core does not have an estimate of its time claim."
Stain or no stain:
On March 17, Core had representatives from Nawkaw apply three different colored stains to
the mockup panel. The three colors included 1) Cement, 2) Silver Lining, and 3) Rushing
River. The precast concrete panels were specified to have Rushing River as the integral color.
Several photos are attached showing the colors on the mockup panel. A section of the
mockup was left unstained so one can compare the color differences against what the building
looks like right now. For reference, the right side of the mockup has not been detergent
w a shed. Of the three stain colors, staff prefers the Rushing River over the other two
darker colors. The Rushing River stain is the lightest of the colors and is what the original
color was meant to be.
The proposed stain is NawTone-K manufactured by Nawkaw. Because NawTone-K
chemically binds with concrete, it is an ideal choice for use on precast concrete. This stain is a
penetrating, UV resistant, weather resistant, nonflammable, nontoxic, water-based, solvent-
free, and non-film-forming product. It also comes with a 25-year warranty.
Alternatively, the Council could choose to leave the precast panels as-is and not have
stain applied. A credit would then be received for the scope of services associated with
this work.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve staining of the precast concrete panels with the Rushing River color at the Fitch
Family Indoor Aquatic Center at no cost to the City.
2. Approve staining of the precast concrete panels with a different color at the Fitch Family
Indoor Aquatic Center at no cost to the City.
3. Approve receiving a credit in lieu of staining the precast concrete panels at the Fitch
Family Indoor Aquatic Center in the amount of $52,000.
4. Refer back to staff.
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CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The color of the precast concrete panels encompassing the natatorium portion of the Fitch
Family Indoor Aquatic Center is not what was specified. The panels were to have integral color
of Rushing River and the contractor omitted this when the panels were formed. Thus, the
current appearance is one of a mottled look with inconsistent coloring across the panels.
City Council has two alternatives to consider. The first is to have the panels stained so the
appearance closely matches what was originally intended. The second is to leave the panels
unstained and hope the appearance improves over time. If the Council chooses to not stain
the panels, the City would receive a credit.
The original intent was to have the natatorium panels be colored. Core has indicated they will
perform the work but will do so under protest. The aesthetics of the current panels diminishes
the quality look to the building. Therefore, it is the City Manager's recommendation that City
Council approve Alternative No. 1, as stated above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment A - RDG Staining Recommendation.pdf
Attachment B - Notice to Cure Precast Appearance.pdf
Attachment C - SDM Notice of Claim.pdf
Stain Colors Against Building.jpg
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12.8.2025
Keith Abraham
Parks and Recreation Director, City of Ames
1500 Gateway Hills Park Drive
Ames, IA 50010
Keith,
RDG believes that the responsible contractors of ‘Bid Package 03-3’ for the Fitch Family Indoor
Aquatic Center did not provide precast finishes per contract documents. The color is inconsistent,
not uniform, and unacceptable as a final product.
(i) No Integral color was included in the Architectural Precast Panel concrete mix,
as specified.
(ii) Applicable contractor failed to formally submit the concrete design mix
submittal, which did not allow the owner and design team the opportunity to
review.
RDG recommends the architectural precast panels with the ‘sinus wave’ form liner that make up the
exterior of the natatorium portion of the building, be stained at the cost of the bid contractor.
Sincerely,
Bradley M. Rodenburg, AIA, LEED AP, WELL AP
Partner, Project Manager
RDG Planning & Design
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GENERAL CONTRACTING | DESIGN+BUILD | CONSTRUCTION M ANAGEMENT
2810 Wakefield Circle
Ames, IA 50010
515-232-4358
February 17, 2026
Mike Muhlena
Core Construction Services, LLC
3093 NW Prairie Lane
Johnston, IA 50131
Re: Notice to Cure for Precast Appearance
Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center
City of Ames, Iowa
Dear Mr. Muhlena:
As you are aware, the “Sinus Wave” architectural precast panels for the project were rejected by RDG
(December 8, 2025, letter to City of Ames) for color inconsistencies. We are in receipt of Core’s response
to the rejection (January 9, 2026, letter to Story Construction.) The relevant facts are these:
o The control samples provided by RDG to Core did not represent mix designs.
o The project specifications require that the precast panel mix designs, including the specified
integral color, be submitted and approved.
o No mix design was submitted for the architectural precast mix designs, including the “Sinus
Wave” panels.
o Whether or not the required submittal for this mix design was included in Procore’s Submittal
Tool does not preclude Core from adhering to the specified submittals. This submittal was, in
fact, listed in Procore’s Submittal Tool as a required submittal from April through October
2024, when it was only removed because the panels had moved into fabrication.
Therefore, Core Construction Services is responsible to remediate the rejected panels. The solution,
recommended by RDG and approved by the Owner, is to stain the “Sinus Wave” panels. Following final
direction from the Ames City Council on their preference for correcting the work, the “Sinus Wave”
precast panel finish shall be remedied by either:
o Supply and install a precast stain for the “Sinus Wave” precast panels at the cost of the
contractor. RDG has specified the following stain product, Nawkaw NawTone, which includes a
25-year warranty. The final color will be selected from 3 sample colors to be installed, by Core,
on the existing precast panel mockup. All protection of adjacent and public surfaces will be
provided by Core, as will the repair of any disturbed site finishes, during the building staining.
o At the Owner’s discretion, provide a credit to the City of Ames for the cost of this scope of work.
Time is of the essence. The project is closing on final completion, which cannot be achieved until the stain
work is completed. Please respond with a plan of action for the remedial work no later than Monday,
February 23, 2026.
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GENERAL CONTRACTING | DESIGN+BUILD | CONSTRUCTION M ANAGEMENT
2810 Wakefield Circle
Ames, IA 50010
515-232-4358
Sincerely,
STORY CONSTRUCTION CO.
Deborah Thurmond
Assistant Project Manager
CC: Keith Abraham, Director of Parks and Recreation, City of Ames
Brad Rodenburg, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, RDG Planning & Design
Russ Lewton, Story Construction Co.
Troy Turner, Story Construction Co.
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