School construction estimates higher

Tim Fehr, mechanical engineer for Shive Hattery, and Doug Ziegler, project manager for Carl A. Nelson & Co., gave the Mid-Prairie Community School Board a challenging message Monday current construction costs are pushing the estimated price for the Middle School expansion and renovation past the original estimate of $4.4 million. With a 10 percent contingency addition to handle any design changes and a possible costlier bidding environment, the figure increases to between $4.6 and $4.7 million. Board members expressed apprehension that this might be a forewarning that the other building projects included in the $10.6 million bond issue could come in over budget.

The original cost estimates for the Middle School were HVAC (heating, ventilation and air condition) geothermal system and window replacement $2.9 million; new computer/technology room and remodel current room for special education $400,000; and space equal to four classrooms for Home School Assistance Program $1.1 million.

Ziegler said they had been meeting with the school-created teams of local stakeholders in the facilities and had so far found ways to trim costs from $4.29 million to $4.24 million (not including contingency figure) . He noted that cuts were being chosen to not impair the educational utilization of the facility. He said that the major construction in Iowa City estimated at $2 billion is affecting the market.

Construction at the Middle School involves installing a geothermal heating and cooling system and replacing all the windows, constructing classrooms, a Parent Resource Center and offices for the Home School Assistance Program, and constructing a new computer lab and renovating the existing computer lab for a Special Education classroom.

The current drawings for the Middle School addition on the north side included an irregular roofline to match the current building. The board agreed to do away with the stepping, which will save an estimated $20,000.

Board member Jeremy Statler suggested not using brick siding for the new Middle School addition, but a brick wainscot with steel siding as a cost saving measure. Board President Jim Hussey said it might be a hard sale to the community and it was late in the day to make such a major design change. Ziegler added that masonry, with regular maintenance, had an average life of 80 to 90 years, compared with steel that began losing its finish in 20 years and structural integrity in 30 years. The board did not approve the change.

Jeremy Pickard observed that the $140,000 cut they approved still left a $483,000 overrun. Ziegler said that that amount had already been reduced and they would continue to pursue other reductions. By bidding the $10.6 million project in smaller packages, Ziegler said, smaller contractors would be able to bid, which means more competitive bidding. He also noted that when Fairfield rebidded its building project because of too high of bids, they came in $1 million lower the second time.

The other projects and their estimated cost for the bond issue include installing air conditioning for the entire Washington Township Elementary building $200,000; construction an additional preschool classroom and renovating the existing preschool classroom at the Kalona Elementary School $1.1 million; constructing two additional kindergarten classrooms and renovating existing kindergarten classrooms for special education classroom at the Wellman Elementary School $900,000; relocating the main office to existing art classroom, constructing an addition for the new art classroom and Family Consumer Science lab; renovating the existing Family and Consumer Science lab for the special education classroom at the High School $1.7 million; an alternative learning center and central administration offices as new construction $2.1 million; and bonding costs and attorney fees $240,000.

Fehr and Ziegler observed that the overrun at the Middle School was mainly attributed to the major HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), which would not be as major a factor at the other school buildings.

Board Vice President George Schaefer took over the meeting after Hussey had to leave, where he had a mildly contentious discussion with parents of Wellman elementary students. It dealt with bus pickup spots around the town.

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School construction estimates higher