September 9th, 2015 by WCBC Radio
There is a projected $6.4 million increase in construction cost for the Southern Middle School renovation project and performing arts center, according to William Swift, director of facilities, maintenance, operations and security with Garrett County Public Schools.
The increase will cause the submission of the Capital Improvement Plan from the Garrett County Board of Education to the county commissioners to be delayed until later this month.
The Cumberland Times News reports the increase is based on fiscal year 2017 Capital Improvement Program guidelines that were recently established by the Interagency Committee on Public School Construction.
“In order to align the state construction cost with current market conditions, the cost has been increased by 21 percent over the FY 2016 figure, and the allowance for sitework for new construction has been increased from 12 percent of total construction cost to 19 percent,” said David Lever, executive director of the Public School Construction Program. “As a result, estimated project totals for the Southern Middle School renovation went from $32,582,269 to $39,017,203.”
The board has requested revised cost numbers that separate the performing arts center from the main building renovation. The board is expected to take action on the CIP sometime in September on the same date it expects to hear its annual audit report from The Rodeheaver Group, P.C.
In preparation for a meeting with the IAC, a previously scheduled informal viewing of the updated architectural design will be held on Sept. 16 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Southern Middle School.
Mike Gehr, principal/architect for BFM Architects, Inc. and others will be on hand to share the updated designs. The purpose of the session is to provide the public an opportunity to view planning progress and garner letters of support to be submitted to the IAC by Oct. 5 in preparation for the Oct. 20 meeting.
The board is encouraging residents to send letters of support addressed to the IAC regarding the Southern Middle School renovation with the add alternate.
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