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School building team updates council on schedule and costs; council approves phase‑2 environmental work
Summary
Left Field and Gilbane reported progress on the South Kingstown High School design-development phase and the council authorized a phase‑2 environmental site investigation contract to confirm soil conditions and sample for potential contaminants at the high‑school and Curtis Corner sites.
Design, procurement strategies and environmental screening for the South Kingstown High School replacement were the focus of a detailed update to the Town Council on April 14.
Kate Turner, the owner’s representative, said the project remains in design development and that cost estimates tied to that design set will be available in mid-May. Turner said the project team is pursuing an approach that produces an initial guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for long‑lead and major structural packages (concrete, steel, site work, abatement) at the end of design development, then completes remaining bid packages in a follow-up amendment to give the town greater cost certainty and avoid large allowances tied to incomplete documents.
The council also approved, by motion, a proposed contract with B & L Company for a phase‑2 environmental site investigation at the high‑school and Curtis Corner sites. The phase‑2 work follows a phase‑1 historical review that flagged a handful of potential concerns — for example, closed underground petroleum tanks and a former automotive lift area — and recommends confirmatory soil sampling in targeted locations and soil characterization for any material that may be exported off site. Project staff told the council they solicited multiple proposals after finding the initial phase‑1 consultant’s phase‑2 proposal to be excessive in scope and price.
Architectural materials and color palettes were discussed at length by the school building committee, Turner said. The design team is revising exterior materials and palette options after community feedback asked for a warmer, more contextually appropriate palette; the building team will present revised renderings to the council and the school committee in the coming weeks.
On permitting, Turner said the team anticipates planning-board review in May and has factored a second hearing into the schedule; state environmental and stormwater approvals run concurrently and typically take 60–90 days. Construction contracting strategy will attempt early procurement of long‑lead items while completing remaining documents. The project team said steel market conditions currently appear favorable, but emphasized tariffs and market volatility remain an uncertainty.
Councilors took no additional action on design issues but approved the phase‑2 environmental contract and asked staff to keep the council updated on the May cost estimate and schedule milestones.
