Replacing the heating system as well as add air conditioning to Dayton Elementary is going to cost more than expected.
Engineers had previously felt the work could be accomplished for $2.1 million.
Tower Engineering Associate David Kuretich addressed the Armstrong School District board members last night to explain increased costs of bids received for limited renovations to Dayton Elementary.
Armstrong School District board members last night listened as David Kuretich, an associate at Tower Engineering, explained the reasons.
- Originally, a standard fire alarm system was specified. However, new codes require that the alarm voice-announce evacuation as well as sirens. This increased costs by $60,000.
- The lobby was to be upgraded to be a secure environment for the safety of staff and students. However, it will now require replacement of existing framework around doors that was not included in estimate. This increased costs by $65,000.
- The exhaust fans on the roof are well past their expected life span. They should be replaced, which increases the cost by $40,000
- The natural gas pressure is too low. There are no service regulators in place. The new equipment requires a higher pressure to operate correctly. As a result, gas service across the building must be upgraded at an increased cost of $40,000.
- There were several pieces of equipment that are needed to make a complete HVAC system that were not on the original bid specification. This is an increased cost of $30,000.
Kuretich said the other factor is market conditions.
“Right now, contractors are bidding jobs at a slightly higher rate,” he said. “The results by each contractor are extremely close in their bid totals. In addition, we got a very good response. There were a significant amount of bidders. Each low-bid contractor is a company that Tower Engineering has worked with in the past. Given these factors, this is why we highly recommend you approve the bids.”
School Board Director Doug Smith said he was uncomfortable with the number, stating this will end up being a $3 million dollar project. Director of Finance Sam Kirk agreed.
“We had the roof come in under budget at Lenape Elementary. This one is over. It happens this way. However, we have invested money and we will have several hundred thousand dollars to cover this,” Kirk said. “These are all things that need to be done. There is nothing lavish or over-the-top that we can take out of the project.”
The project cost also does not include a seven-percent fee that is charged by Tower Engineering once a bid is accepted.
The schedule calls for starting the project in March. Crews would work in hallways and above ceilings in the evening until June.
The school board will officially vote on accepting a bid/contractor at Monday’s public meeting at 7:30 PM at West Hills Intermediate School.