“The bids for the high school renovation project came in at $482,800 under estimates,” explained New Richmond superintendent Tom Durbin.
New Richmond superintendent Tom Durbin inspects the condition of doors removed from classrooms with a worker from Kramer and Feldman, the general contractor for the high school renovation. The doors will be refinished as part of the project.The board awarded contracts totaling $977,700 for the two-year renovation project which includes removal of asbestos, new floors, ceilings, electric, lighting and cabinets in the original part of the high school which opened in 1965. Work on the second and third floors is scheduled this summer with the lower floors for the summer of 2011.
“We are very pleased that bids came in well under estimates,” said Durbin. “This will allow us to continue to look at ways to make improvements throughout the district.”
Durbin jump started the project by having the district’s custodial and maintenance staff clear the 2nd and 3rd floors and move the high school offices to the Graduation Academy at the Market Street School building on May 28. Work began June 1.
“Now the tough part is to get it done,” said Durbin. “We’re on a tight time line. We plan to move back in from Aug. 19 to the 22 and be open by the 23rd.”
Workers from Central Insulation Systems work behind a sealed off area of the high school to remove asbestos from ceilings and floors.Kramer and Feldman was awarded the general contract for $472,373 (estimated at $785,000); Central Insulation Systems the asbestos removal contract for $297,327 (estimated at $435,000); and United Electric the electrical contract for $208,000 (estimated at $267,000). Mechanical work estimated at $62,500 is being re-bid after only one bid ($93,300) was received.
“I think it’s the results of good planning, clarity in the bid documents and understanding of the work that needed to be done,” said school board member David Painter. “The economy also had something to do with it.”
In addition to the new floors, ceilings and lights, the high school classrooms and offices will be getting new wall cabinets, refinished doors and new fixtures for the science labs and art rooms.
Rooms in the newer areas of the high school not affected by the asbestos removal are being used to store classroom materials. Athletic director Doug Foote and assistant Kathy Scholz shared their office with art room material on the last day of school.The asbestos is being removed in sections so the general and electrical contractors can move in a completed section and begin work once air quality samples are taken and the area is approved for workers.
“All the work will be inside so the weather will not be a factor like it was when we replaced the façade of the high school,” said Durbin. “But it’s still a tight schedule.”
Maintenance crews from New Richmond's six buildings moved the contents of classrooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the high school to the cafeteria. They will have three days to get the building ready for the opening of school on Aug. 23 if the project is completed on time on Aug. 19.
