The promise has been made: ‘On time and on budget.?
The Clarkston Community Schools Board of Education heard the promise Monday, Jan. 12 concerning projects to be funded by last year’s voter-approved $84.7 million bond issue.
Three consultants gave updates on the planning and construction process. Some repairs and renovations have taken place, and major projects are in the ‘design development? phase.
Doug LaFerle, of the French Associates architectural firm, showed conceptual drawings for the major renovation work of several elementary schools, the two middle schools and the building currently housing the Renaissance High School and other programs.
Major expansion of the district administration building will be accompanied by a new early childhood center.
Based on conversations with school officials, rough sketches have become more detailed floor plans and facade drawings (copies of which were not immediately available).
‘There’s still a lot of work to do in terms of getting these to the point where they can be bid on,? LaFerle said. ‘One of the most critical things we do [with schematic drawings] is go to the construction manager and say, ‘Are we still headed in the right direction budget-wise? Tell us now so we don’t get too far down the road.??
According to Bill Stewart, construction supervisor with Skanska USA, the news so far is good on that count.
While it is normal to have a 5 percent variance from original cost estimates, Stewart said Clarkston plans have come in with a difference of less than 1 percent.
‘We are in really good shape,? he said. ‘We’re headed in the right direction. Things are going the way they’re supposed to.?
The challenge, Stewart said, is to take the ‘wish list? produced from staff and the architectural drawings produced by French Associates and work out more specific construction drawings and cost estimates.
‘We know every room has a marker board and a tackboard, but we don’t exactly what wall it will be on,? he said.
Stewart estimated that the detailed drawings are about 30 percent complete. The target is to have construction documents approved by April so bids can be let.
The emphasis on cost control is accompanied by what Stewart called ‘value engineering,? a philosophy of finding cost-efficient and energy-efficient designs.
‘Just because we’re on target doesn’t mean we’re not looking for ways to save money,? he said estimating more than $750,000 in documented savings so far.
The completion date ‘for most facilities? is August 2005, but officials say the Renaissance building (which involves major work to a historic building) will likely not be complete until December 2005.
‘We’re really looking forward to it,? Stewart said. ‘We don’t have a tough row to hoe, but we’ve got our work cut out for us.?
Trustee Mary Ellen McLean asked about potential problems with trade labor during construction, but Stewart said he did not anticipate major issues.
‘There’s always going to be something, but that’s why we’re here,? he said, anticipating the availability of high quality labor at a good cost. ‘As far as the economy goes, it’s actually beneficial to us.?
Technology consultant Bill Craig gave an equally optimistic report on the projected $7 million worth of technology planned as part of the bond construction.
Over Christmas break, crews successfully replaced the district’s data system and improved ‘power conditioning? to protect against brownouts.
Craig said the overall plan includes enhanced security systems (including features such as surveillance cameras and card readers) first in elementary schools, then at the high school and finally in all new construction.
Craig also repeated the overall promise: ‘Our commitment is to complete everything on time and on budget.?
Superintendent Al Roberts said the district faces challenges in completing bond construction while debating operational cost reductions. He remains optimistic, however, that the bond construction will help the district be more efficient by consolidating programs.
Roberts said he is acting as point man for questions concerning bond construction and will keep the board and public informed of progress, yet promised no ‘filtering? of information. He said the administration is serious about the ‘on time, on budget? promise.
‘They’re nice words, but I want to make sure they ring true at the end.?