Dunn's Corner, Springbrook and State Street projects about one-third complete; subcommittee probes schedule, masonry and MEP ramp-up

The owner’s project manager and architect told the Westerly Public School building subcommittee on Jan. 8 that Dunn's Corner, Springbrook and State Street elementary school projects are roughly 33–35% complete and moving toward an August substantial completion target, but several weather- and sequencing-related issues will require monitoring.

At Dunn's Corner, the project team reported the building is enclosed and interior partitions, kitchen layout and roof work are underway. Most precast concrete elements are installed, the team said, and sprinkler work has been performed after hours. A temporary-heat submittal was approved to allow interior MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) work to begin once the building is weather-tight; exterior masonry is scheduled to ramp up in March and April because of both lead times on brick and seasonal conditions. The team is also reviewing how new piping will connect to the existing septic system while keeping the existing system active.

At Springbrook, activity was described as lighter in the winter months. Committee members raised a concern about recent plantings installed near a sidewalk outside the building, saying the landscaping was installed “out of season” and could grow over the walkway in spring; the subcommittee has not accepted the planting and said it will inspect the site. The two small-group instruction rooms and the media center addition were discussed: metal decking for the two-story addition is in place and crews plan to install studs and pour the upper deck; masonry work and an exterior existing-media-center wall rebuild will require tenting while the crew completes the work. The team is addressing asphalt compaction and compliance concerns at a loading dock area and plans to resolve with the fire marshal once the 10‑p (ten-p?) item is completed.

At State Street, the team reported foundation work was expected to finish by the end of the month and United Steel would be on site Jan. 21 to begin steel erection. The contractor is adjusting crane locations and operations after a Federal Aviation Administration requirement led to a reduction in allowable crane height; the team said steel work is expected to require six to eight weeks, weather dependent.

The subcommittee was told that independent testing contractors are observing work at all three sites and that the projects remain heavily involved in paperwork, submittals and RFIs. The team also said that furniture lead times for media centers are long, prompting an immediate need to form a furniture selection working group so product decisions and procurement can align with construction schedules.

Why it matters: The schedule details and site-specific constraints — winter conditions, asphalt compaction, septic piping and approvals tied to fire marshal sign-off — affect whether the projects meet the planned late‑summer delivery windows and influence upcoming procurement and installation milestones.

The committee asked to monitor subcontractor schedules and review backup documentation; staff said they will meet with contractors to verify schedule submissions and the plan to reach the August targets.