Mount Hope construction moves toward steel erection; PMA cites RIDE MOA and new cash‑flow forecast
October 14, 2025 | Bristol Warren, School Districts, Rhode Island
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Representatives from PMA briefed the Bristol Warren Regional School Committee on Oct. 14 on construction progress at the district’s Mount Hope High School project and related sites.
Nick Paul of PMA said the contractor was preparing to begin steel erection “either this week or next week,” calling it a major milestone. PMA told the committee it had received a memorandum of agreement from RIDE that breaks out five projects and identifies reimbursement amounts; PMA said it would reforecast cash flow for the program based on that MOA and an updated cash‑flow submission it had received.
On budget and change orders, PMA said the overall soft‑cost contingency has not changed but that the team continues to track exposure on a roughly 20% item tied to audio‑enhancement systems. The presenter said a “handful” of time‑and‑material change orders remained to be added to the change log, including items for site mechanical piping and small trailer or laydown work at the high‑school site.
PMA provided photographs and a walk‑through of site progress: foundation walls with waterproofing and drainage board, backfilled building pads, an elevator pit in the main lobby and site erosion controls. The team described the next major schedule events: steel set, topping‑off ceremonies, slabs on grade and subsequent phases. PMA showed target substantial‑completion dates: Mount Hope phase 1 (new building) substantial completion May 2027; phase 2 December 2027; and other school substantial‑completion dates shown for Colton Andrews and Rockwell in August 2027 and for certain elementary projects in August 2026.
Committee members asked for clarification about the MOA; PMA said it will present the MOA to the committee for formal approval and said that signing and resignatures are required to shift funds among projects. PMA said PAYGO reimbursements and other project receipts will be incorporated as the cash‑flow forecast is updated.
Why it matters: The construction update outlines near‑term milestones and pending contractual changes that affect schedule and cash flow on a multiyear capital program. The administration said it will bring the MOA back to the committee for formal approval.
What’s next: PMA will reforecast cash flow and present the MOA for committee approval at a future meeting; the project team expects steel erection to start imminently and said a topping‑off ceremony may be scheduled in the coming months.
Direct quote: “We’re hoping to get steel either this week or next week,” Nick Paul said during the presentation.
No formal votes on construction work were taken at the Oct. 14 meeting; PMA flagged outstanding change orders that will come through the committee’s change‑control process.
Nick Paul of PMA said the contractor was preparing to begin steel erection “either this week or next week,” calling it a major milestone. PMA told the committee it had received a memorandum of agreement from RIDE that breaks out five projects and identifies reimbursement amounts; PMA said it would reforecast cash flow for the program based on that MOA and an updated cash‑flow submission it had received.
On budget and change orders, PMA said the overall soft‑cost contingency has not changed but that the team continues to track exposure on a roughly 20% item tied to audio‑enhancement systems. The presenter said a “handful” of time‑and‑material change orders remained to be added to the change log, including items for site mechanical piping and small trailer or laydown work at the high‑school site.
PMA provided photographs and a walk‑through of site progress: foundation walls with waterproofing and drainage board, backfilled building pads, an elevator pit in the main lobby and site erosion controls. The team described the next major schedule events: steel set, topping‑off ceremonies, slabs on grade and subsequent phases. PMA showed target substantial‑completion dates: Mount Hope phase 1 (new building) substantial completion May 2027; phase 2 December 2027; and other school substantial‑completion dates shown for Colton Andrews and Rockwell in August 2027 and for certain elementary projects in August 2026.
Committee members asked for clarification about the MOA; PMA said it will present the MOA to the committee for formal approval and said that signing and resignatures are required to shift funds among projects. PMA said PAYGO reimbursements and other project receipts will be incorporated as the cash‑flow forecast is updated.
Why it matters: The construction update outlines near‑term milestones and pending contractual changes that affect schedule and cash flow on a multiyear capital program. The administration said it will bring the MOA back to the committee for formal approval.
What’s next: PMA will reforecast cash flow and present the MOA for committee approval at a future meeting; the project team expects steel erection to start imminently and said a topping‑off ceremony may be scheduled in the coming months.
Direct quote: “We’re hoping to get steel either this week or next week,” Nick Paul said during the presentation.
No formal votes on construction work were taken at the Oct. 14 meeting; PMA flagged outstanding change orders that will come through the committee’s change‑control process.
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