Vistas of C P3-CS 990510I
P.O. Box 478
Coppell, Texas 75019
972 - 462-0022
The City With A Beautiful Future
P.O. BOX 478
COPPELL, TEXAS 75019
May 10, 19909
Charles Keys
Featherlite Building Products Corp.
3815 Singleton Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75212
P.O. Box 560725
Dallas, TX 75356-0725
RE: Featherlite Pavers
Dear Mr. Keys:
Post -it® Fax Note 7671 Date G pages Z
TO From
Co. /Dept Co.
Phone # Phone # �.
Fax # I - _ 3�
1 - ` 50 (`7 �'' Fax # ? _ 3970
I have received and reviewed the information you provided concerning your request to have
Featherlite pavers designated as an approved paver within the City of Coppell. As we
discussed in our telephone conversation, I have some concern about utilizing a different
paver at this point in the development of Coppell. The City is almost built out and has been
utilizing Pavestone products from the beginning. In reviewing the technical data, you are
correct in stating that the characteristics of the Featherlite paver, as compared to the
Pavestone paver, do meet the same specification. However, from a City maintenance
standpoint I do have some concerns about the utilization of the Featherlite paver.
My concerns are as listed:
1. Location of Featherlite facility as opposed to the Pavestone facility:
Your facility is located approximately 10 miles farther away from Coppell than the
Pavestone facility. This equates to approximately 20 additional miles on a round trip
by City employees to pick up an order. Considering loss of labor and the use of a
City vehicle, each trip would equate to a loss of approximately $20 to $25 to the City
of Coppell. There is also an intangible value to me to have employees in the City of
Coppell working on the street system. My entire Street Division consists of six
employees. The $20 to $25 cost takes into account just one person making the trip to
pick up the pavers. However, when one person is missing from a crew the crew is
less than efficient.
You did state that it was your opinion that the Featherlite pavers were approximately
$.20 /sq.ft. less expensive than the Pavestone paver. Basing my decision on current
costing of materials is risky as there is no guarantee that Featherlite or Pavestone will
maintain their current pricing.
2. Holland Paver:
I have compared the sample of Holland paver that you provided to the Pavestone
Holland paver. While there is a color variation, which you stated could be resolved
through special blending, my concern is that the Pavestone Holland paver is larger
than the Featherlite Holland paver. The Pavestone Holland paver is 212 mm x 105
mm while the Featherlite Holland paver is 198 mm x 98 mm. On new installations
you might argue that this is inconsequential. However, it is not efficient to stockpile
various types of materials and take the chance of having the wrong materials to do a
repair job. As you are aware, with your paver being smaller, each Pavestone paver
would have to be cut twice, length and width, to repair an area that is built with
Featherlite pavers. This obviously is not time efficient.
3. Decora Paver:
You are correct in saying that the Featherlite Decora paver matches the Pavestone
paver almost exactly. There is some color variation, but on closer review that is of
minor consequence. My concern with the Decora paver is the groove across the top
that separates the square section of the paver from the octagon section of the paver.
The Featherlite paver has a gentle groove that ends at the chamfer and is
approximately 7 1/2 mm's wide. The Pavestone paver has a groove that is
approximately 4 1/2 mm's wide and also 4 to 5 mm's below the chamfer. This gives
it a much more detailed look and the appearance that it is two separate pavers as
opposed to one paver.
In reviewing your request, my goal is to insure that the "or equal" has a benefit to the City
and is not detrimental to the City's operations. Short of what you stated is a current slight
price difference, I can see no benefit to the City of Coppell for having to drive further to
pick up materials, having to maintain two different types of materials, having to double cut
the Pavestone Holland paver in a repair situation, or the appearance difference on the
Decora paver grooves.
Based on the above reasons I see no reason to allow the Featherlite paver as an approved
"equal" to the Pavestone paver.
I hope the above has adequately answered your questions. If you should have any
additional information to provide that would help alleviate my concerns or if you have any
questions please feel free to contact this office.
Sincerely
1<4VI-- .
Kenneth M. Griffin, P.E.
Director of Engineering and Public Works
cc: Jim Witt, City Manager fflV%VdMWP®oe°