A little more than a year after opening, the Arkansas State Veterans Home in North Little Rock is regrouping after cold winter weather revealed problems with heat pumps, pipes and ceiling insulation in some of the buildings housing veterans.
The home opened to its first residents on Jan. 31, 2017, but rapid cycling by heat pumps a year later led to complaints about chilly conditions in some of the project’s eight individual units, which each house 12 veterans. A separate plumbing issue caused a pipe leak and some ceiling damage, which has since been repaired.
The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, which operates the complex on John Ashley Drive, found that “huge sections” of attic lacked insulation, according to one source, and took quick action.
State officials called meetings with Craig Custom Construction of Little Rock, the project’s general contractor, Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects, the designers.
“All parties are at the table,” working on repairs, said Karen Watkins, the chief fiscal officer of the Veterans Affairs Department.
“Craig Custom didn’t install the HVAC or insulation; they subbed out that work, so I’m sure they’re working with their subcontractors,” Watkins said, stressing that the comfort of all veterans was addressed immediately.
“Polk Stanley Wilcox was outstanding throughout the construction process, and we have confidence they can assist us here.”
Watkins had no timetable for completion of the work. “We feel that the repairs should be covered under the cost of the original contract if it is determined that faulty installation contributed to the problem.”
Steve Craig, owner of Craig Custom Construction, said that its insulation subcontractor, Capitol Insulators, worked quickly in February to cover areas under the eaves that had been left without insulation.
He added that final tests were being completed on fresh-air systems.
Sign up for Daily E-news
