Board approves GMPs for Cambridge and Woodridge renovations; permits still pending

The Alamo Heights ISD Board of Trustees approved guaranteed maximum price (GMP) amendments for Cambridge and Woodridge elementary school renovations at the board meeting, authorizing construction teams to proceed while permitting is finalized.

Project-control staff described the two GMP amendments in detail: Cambridge’s amendment (Amendment 3) lists a GMP of $30,241,625 with an approximate 22-month duration and owner contingencies and allowances totalling about $1,822,000; Woodridge’s amendment (Amendment 4) listed a GMP of $13,814,474 with an approximate 16-month duration and contingencies and allowances totaling about $840,000. The Cambridge scope includes demolition and replacement of the campus chiller/boiler plant, extensive cafeteria and kitchen renovations and electrical and gas upgrades; Woodridge scope includes renovation and expansion of the fifth-grade wing, interior finishes and temporary portables to keep the campus operational during work.

District staff told trustees the campuses will remain open during construction. On permits, presenters said comments had been returned from permitting authorities and responses were in progress; staff recommended immediate approval so the architect and contractor could issue a notice to proceed (NTP) and begin the schedule. A project-control representative noted Cambridge’s schedule assumed an NTP in mid-April with completion about 22 months later; staff said the typical permitting cycle was still underway and asked the board to allow contractors to mobilize once permits were cleared.

Trustee Ty moved to approve the GMPs “for project number 2 Cambridge and Woodridge as presented,” Trustee Brian seconded, and the board voted unanimously in favor. After the vote, district staff said LPA (the design team) was prepared to issue an NTP the next business day if approvals were in hand. Trustees asked to be kept informed if permitting delays pushed the schedule beyond the dates shown in the GMP exhibits.

The board also heard that portable classroom arrangements (an eight-pack configuration for Woodridge) and staging logistics (Conex storage, metering and power shutdown sequencing) still required campus-level coordination and that parts of Cambridge work included make-ready tasks for portables. Staff said the GMP exhibits list unit prices and allowances and that contingency amounts are included in the GMP totals.