Comprehensive review of Brákarborg development presented
The City Executive Council has approved creating a working group to develop improvements for overseeing design, construction and monitoring of the City's building projects. The working group will work with recommendations from the city's Internal Audit following a comprehensive review of Brákarborg preschool. The report was presented to the City Executive Council today.
The preschool opened in late summer 2022, but detailed inspection of hairline cracks in walls and uneven flooring was conducted during summer 2024. Engineering firms Verkís and VSÓ next evaluated the preschool's structural framework at Reykjavík City's request. They concluded that the roof and the building did not meet current standards for load bearing capacity. The inspections were done during the school's summer closure, and preschool operations moved to another facility when summer break ended. After extensive renovations, operations will return to Brákarborg this fall.
Detailed examination of all aspects
The City Executive Council directed Internal Audit to conduct an independent review of the entire project development in August 2024. The review being presented today included a detailed examination of every aspect of the project, from purchasing the property at Kleppsvegur 150-152 in 2020 to delivering the facility as a preschool in 2022. Interviews were conducted with Reykjavík City employees, designers, contractors and supervisors, and all key data related to condition assessments, design, cost estimates, bidding and construction was reviewed.
14 improvement recommendations
The report presents 14 improvement recommendations. Among other things, the report recommends evaluating the total cost of damages when construction is complete and determining whether to seek compensation from contractors and consultants.
Three recommendations address structural design and framework, including the need for detailed structural inspection when purchasing older buildings, especially when changing their use is planned. Other recommendations address oversight of construction, procedures, organizational structure, quality systems and staffing.
Important to manage large-scale projects well
The Development and Maintenance Office at the Department of Environment & Planning managed the design and construction of Brákarborg from 2021-2022. At the same time, the City's investment plans expected a significant increase in maintenance projects and new construction. However, the plans did not account for increasing office staff but instead emphasized expanding outsourced specialist services. Among the report's findings is that in such a large-scale campaign, it's important to ensure adequate staffing to monitor and manage projects and outsourced services.
Monitoring design, construction and oversight
The working group being formed will deliver a timed plan, milestone assessment and recommendations on how to structure monitoring of design, construction and oversight of the City's building projects. The working group will consist of Reykjavík City staff, with the Director of Finance & Risk Management appointing two representatives (including one from the Property Office) and the Director of Environment & Planning appointing one representative.
The working group's goal will be to ensure improvements, increased professionalism, safety and accountability in construction projects, reduce cost risk, ensure traceability and improve oversight and risk assessment through more efficient organizational structure.