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Construction updates: South Norwalk Elementary and new high school proceed; electrical switchgear noted as potential schedule risk
Summary
Project managers reported steady progress at South Norwalk Elementary and steel erection at the new Norwalk High School, while identifying a delivery issue for electrical switchgear at South Norwalk that project leads are working to resolve to maintain the planned fall opening.
City construction staff provided progress updates on multiple school projects during the committee’s April 2 meeting, highlighting steady work at South Norwalk Elementary and ongoing steel erection at the new Norwalk High School while flagging a potential schedule risk linked to electrical switchgear delivery.
Dan, the construction project representative, said exterior brick veneer and glazing at South Norwalk Elementary are substantially underway and interior mechanical, electrical and plumbing rough-in is progressing; site work on properties purchased by the city has been completed and crews are preparing for paving this summer. He said rooftop units are on-site and that about half the exterior glazing has been installed. Dan asked to reconfirm schedule by April 30 and said the construction manager and engineer are working to resolve procurement and scheduling issues.
Project leads said the most pressing issue is the delivery date for electrical switchgear. Dan said the team is exploring alternative switchgear units and coordinating with the electric utility, the engineer and the city electrical inspector to find a permanent, code-compliant solution that will allow the project to remain on schedule for a fall opening. When asked about the likelihood of meeting the schedule, Dan said he and the team are confident they can find a solution and said they are working to finalize decisions by the end of the month.
On the high school project, staff reported that steel erection began in February and that the crane will move sequentially to several locations, with erection continuing into mid-summer. The high school building shell is being assembled; the project schedule calls for building completion in mid‑2027 with overall site completion, including fields and demolition of the old building, targeted for fall 2028. Construction leads said procurement flow for structural steel and maintaining a continuous stream of material are ongoing logistical challenges but that they are monitoring the schedule closely.
Committee members requested regular updates; staff said they will report back with a status confirmation by the end of April and will notify the committee if any of the contingency plans for the electrical switchgear become necessary.
