Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Construction Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Norwalk facilities team reports progress on high-school projects, HVAC bids and multiple summer upgrades
Summary
Norwalk School District facilities staff told the Facilities Committee April 30 that construction at South Norwalk and Norwalk High/P‑TECH is on schedule while several indoor-air-quality (HVAC) projects returned bids higher than budget, prompting further scope review.
Norwalk School District facilities staff gave the Facilities Committee an update April 30 on active construction and maintenance projects, saying major high-school work is on schedule but several indoor-air-quality (HVAC) projects came in over budget and require further review.
"Our update for South [Norwalk] and Norwalk High School P‑TECH and the HVAC projects... we're actually on schedule right now," said Jim, a district construction staff member, describing progress at South Norwalk and the high-school projects. He said South Norwalk is scheduled for substantial completion this summer and crews are installing sidewalks, light poles, storefronts and interior finishes.
For Norwalk High School and the P‑TECH site, staff reported ongoing under-slab utilities, phased steel erection with multiple crane setups and a plan that would make portions of the campus ready for fall 2027 with the full project complete by fall 2028. Staff warned the main driveway will be closed for significant utility work this summer.
Indoor-air-quality projects: Facilities staff said they received bids this week for five remaining HVAC/IAQ projects; most came in higher than expected and require scope reviews with trade contractors and the construction manager. Brookside and Rowayton were noted as roughly within budget and moving forward; the other four projects were over budget and may span this summer and next as the team works second shifts and weekend installations.
"The bids did come in, higher than expected. And we're in the process of reviewing those bids," Jim said, adding that equipment deliveries and multi-shift work may split installations across weekends and the school year.
Other summer work described by facilities director Bill included rooftop solar at Cranberry (main construction starting in July, active by October), removal of underground fuel storage tanks at Brookside and Tracy, conversion of a Tracy boiler from oil to gas, and the installation of air-conditioning equipment (window units and mini‑split systems) at Tracy.
Bill said the district is scheduling asbestos abatement at Fox Run this summer to remove and replace friable floor tile and that Wolf Pit will follow in future summers; staff emphasized ongoing inspection and management under state environmental rules and that no classrooms need closure at this time.
"We have a specialist management plan that the full plan is updated every 3 years. And every year there are inspections to, abide by the DEEP regulations," Bill said when asked about safety around asbestos tile.
Other projects noted: replacement of student lockers at Roton (wider lockers, same footprint) and earlier site tours for small groups of teacher leaders. Staff said they will provide another report to the committee after scope reviews on the HVAC bids and as summer schedules and sequencing are confirmed.
No formal committee votes or contract awards occurred at the meeting; staff presented status updates and asked for continued oversight as they assess pricing and schedules.
