“The Comptroller’s Office has conducted a thorough review and engaged with the City through a series of questions and answers to determine compliance with all applicable rules and regulations pertaining to this $1.2 billion contract,” said the Comptroller’s Office press secretary Hazel Crampton-Hays.

“Since we were unable to resolve all of our questions within the 30-day review period, our office has returned the contract to D.D.C. to allow them additional time to address the outstanding issues,” she added.

There were just two bidders for the portion of the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project that covers the East River Park, the lower being IPC Resiliency Partners. The project has received political support from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City Council.

According to The Village Sun, Comptroller Stringer has two problems with the contract with IPC.

One problem is that IPC is a joint venture, and the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) has not verified that all of the involved companies have filed necessary disclosures.

The other issue is that DDC set a 16 percent minority/women-owned business enterprise participation goal for the contract, despite the city’s goal of 30 percent for procurement, which is the maximum amount of a contract that can be subcontracted. But as The Village Sun reports, “IPC itself reportedly indicated that 32 percent of the total work could be subcontracted. The Comptroller’s Office is asking why D.D.C. has not adjusted the M/WBE goal to be higher.”

If the comptroller does sign off on the contract, IPC could begin prep work which would include cutting down nearly 1,000 old trees so that a giant levee could be constructed over the 46-acre park. However, it’s worth noting that some locals have been vocal in their opposition to the project.

Photo via Flickr.