Cost to replace windows, doors at West Rocks more than double – Thehour.com

NORWALK The cost for the window and door replacement project at West Rocks Middle School has more than doubled since it was approved and included in the Board of Educations 2016-17 capital budget.

The discovery of PCBs, an existing steel window wall system and the need to include a vestibule at the main entry due to new regulatory safety and environmental standards are all unexpected factors that drove up the cost from an estimated $1.38 million to $3.12 million, according to a memo sent to school officials by John Ireland, the project manager from architectural firm Silver/Petrucelli and Associates.

The scope of work can be a long wish list paired with a guestimate, Ireland said in the memo. While I believe this project is better defined than that, it remains a blind process. No testing, no uncovering of existing conditions, no as built drawings at the start ... and no analysis followed by no design. In short, the scope of work and grant estimate was underestimated.

Though the original plans were already approved, under the states school construction grant procedures the Board of Education must approve the final plans and cost estimates prior to submitting the plans to the State Department of Administrative Services Office of School Construction Grants.

Several concerns were brought up by Board of Education members over the magnitude of the cost increase as the plans were discussed at the boards Tuesday evening meeting.

Board member Erik Anderson questioned when the original cost estimates for the project were made and expressed concerns as to why the architecture firm couldnt have known about the cost-driving issues earlier on in the process.

Tom Hamilton, chief financial officer for the school district, said original estimations were made in late 2015 and that the issue of not identifying the unforeseen obstacles comes down to how much should be invested early on in the project planning process.

Hed to go here

Original Estimated Project Cost $1,375,000

Phase 1 Phase 2 Total

Original Estimated Project Cost: $1,375,000

Revised Estimated Project Cost: $1,338,254 $1,785,773 $3,124,027

Projected State Reimbursement (24%): $321,181 $428,586 $749,766

Local Cost: $1,017,073 $1,357,187 $2,374,261

The cost-driving issues came to light over the past several months as the plans for the project moved forward.

PCBs organic chlorine compounds used as insulators until the 1970s when they were found to have harmful health effects on humans were discovered in the window material at West Rocks Middle School leading to the largest increase in costs. Testing for PCBs and remediation increased the project cost by roughly $370,000 for abatement and $76,000 for additional testing and monitoring during construction.

The second largest increase in project costs stems from the discovery of an existing steel window wall system. Ireland called that a surprising and unusual unforeseen condition.

The discovery of that system requires the addition of steel plates, new supports and other details. Those changes added approximately $350,000 to the total costs.

The third largest increase centers on a secure and energy efficient main entry. The Connecticut building code now includes the requirement for a vestibule at the schools main entry, Ireland said. That change has increased the project cost by $200,000.

The additional scope of work and details, for items such as counters, window surrounds, blinds and AC panels added roughly $150,000, Ireland said.

Because of the new discoveries, the project has been separated into two phases, Hamilton said. Half of the project will be undertaken during the summer of 2017 and the second half will be undertaken during the following summer.

The architects determined that the now larger scope of the window replacement would run the risk of not completing the entire project during summer break. They said it would be advisable to divide the work into two phases as to ensure no interference with the opening of school in August.

The architecture firms fees increased by $15,000 to administer two bid packages and two separate summer construction periods.

Officials said the districts current appropriation of $1.1 million for the project is sufficient to cover Phase 1 of the project. School officials said they are currently working with city officials to identify potential ways to finance the remaining balance of Phase 2, and will bring forward a formal recommendation at a later date.

The board approved an updated Phase 1 of the plans Tuesday in a 5-2 vote.

Hamilton said a meeting is scheduled with the state Feb. 14 to review the final plans for the project.

KSchultz@thehour.com; 203- 354-1049; @kevinedschultz

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Cost to replace windows, doors at West Rocks more than double - Thehour.com