High school reconstruction

Architects, designers outline first steps in school reconstruction, By Fran Hardy Sparta — What do “D&D,” “GC,” “5 Primes,” and “ PM,” have in common? These terms, used in construction lingo, are used for important positions in new construction projects. As architects and designers for the reconstruction of Sparta High School met with board of education members last Thursday night, it became clear the people with these jobs will play key roles in the success of the high school project. At the board’s Oct. 12 working session, William Corfield of the Spiezle Group, the architecture and design firm retained by the district, outlined the first steps toward the bidding process and a preliminary timeline for work to begin. The “D&D” (design and development) team will first finalize architectural drawings for the project, which will include how the building will look inside and out, and what materials will be used. This week, Spiezle has a team at the high school to survey, measure, and photograph the entire building so that the designers can complete their blueprints. After the school board approves them, the drawings must be sent to Trenton, where state officials will determine if the plans comply with stringent school building codes. When the plans are approved in Trenton, the project can go out to bidders. Any contractor approved for school building projects is allowed to bid on the job. The board must select the lowest responsible bidder. Rather than look for a general contractor, or “GC,” who would then hire subcontractors for various parts of the project, Corfield said he prefers to hire what he calls “5 Primes,” or five prime contractors, for the various parts of the project. These contractors would include general construction (masonry, sheetrock, roofing, etc.), structural steel, HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning), plumbing, and electricity. This will ensure top professionals in each area are hired for the job, Corfield said. He hopes the project can go to bid in February and that contracts can be awarded in March. The board must then decide whether to rent or buy the portable classrooms needed to house students during construction. Bids will be taken for building the foundations, setting up the units, and hooking up the electrical connections. If all this can be completed over the summer, demolition of the “pods” portion of the high school could be done before students return in September. Corfield said it is possible, however, that it may take until September to set up the portables, parking, and traffic flow areas. In this case, demolition would begin in September and construction in October. Corfield assured the board that simple structures like the pods can be demolished safely while other parts of the building are in use. He said he has worked on many similar projects that have gone smoothly with no disruption for students. When the actual construction begins, the “PM,” or project manger, will oversee all aspects of the work, making sure it is done on time and stays within the budget. Bill Morris of Epic Management Inc. has been hired as the project manager and will work directly with the Spiezle Group. The “5 Primes” will answer to him and his team. Corfield said it would be most effective if the board selected one member as the main point of contact for the Spiezle Group and Epic Management during construction. Board President Michael Schiavoni nominated Paul Johnson to chair the board’s construction committee and function as the point of contact. “Mr. Johnson has excellent qualifications to chair this committee,” Schiavoni said. “He is himself a certified project manager and will bring a great deal of experience to the table.” The high school is expected to be completed by 2010. It will have 20 new classrooms, and a new gym, cafeteria, auditorium, and media center, for a total of 137,000 square feet of added space.