Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Construction topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Construction manager gives update on Whitnall referendum projects; schematic design completed and geotechnical work scheduled
Summary
CG Schmidt and district staff reported the referendum construction program is on schedule: schematic design was completed in February, design development is expected in May, geotechnical studies will occur over spring break, and budget checks are underway to align costs with the referendum.
CG Schmidt representatives and Whitnall School District staff told the board that the district’s referendum construction program is advancing on schedule, with key design milestones and budget validation underway.
Ryan Schmidt, managing director of CG Schmidt, introduced himself and a colleague and said the firm has partnered with Whitnall on past projects, including the district’s original high school more than 60 years ago. “We’re extremely excited about this project,” Schmidt said, and noted meetings with user groups and design teams have already begun.
Schmidt said the schematic design drawings were received in February and the next formal check-in for budgeting will be the design development milestone, anticipated around May. CG Schmidt’s estimators are validating budgets and tracking contingencies for escalation and inflation.
District staff confirmed geotechnical studies are scheduled to occur over spring break to limit disruption to students and that design development work will move toward construction documents after the May milestone. Staff said increased engagement with staff on classroom layouts, materials, finishes and engineering is ongoing and the district expects 3D images to be available by May for public sharing.
CG Schmidt noted that while material-price uncertainty (for example, lumber tariffs) is on their radar, materials typically account for roughly 40% of total building cost and labor is the larger cost component; the preconstruction team is monitoring raw-material costs and contingency allowances. The firms and district staff said they expect the project to remain on track at this point.
No formal board action was taken during the presentation; the update was provided for the board’s information and future action will follow as design milestones and budgets are finalized.
