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Board approves construction manager, architect and payment schedule for new Savannah Grove Elementary
Summary
Florence School District 1 approved hiring Thompson Turner as construction manager at risk, LS3P as architect and adopted a long-term payment schedule with the county for the joint Savannah Grove Elementary and five-ball-field project; the board voted unanimously on each item.
The Florence School District 1 Board of Trustees voted unanimously to hire Thompson Turner as construction manager at risk, approve LS3P Associates as the architect and adopt the payment schedule for the new Savannah Grove Elementary School and five county-owned ball fields.
The approvals came after Superintendent Dr. O'Malley described the construction manager at risk (CMAR) delivery method, saying the CMAR assumes financial risk above an agreed guaranteed maximum price and helps the district control cost and schedule. The district selected Thompson Turner, which submitted the lowest bid and previously worked with the district and other local institutions, the superintendent said.
District leaders also recommended LS3P Associates of West Columbia as architect after interviewing three finalist firms. Dr. O'Malley told the board that legal review and negotiations reduced the architect fee from an initial 6.75 percent to 5.5 percent.
On financing, the board adopted the payment schedule for the joint project under which Florence County holds the bond and the district will reimburse the county annually. Dr. O'Malley said the district will make the first two annual payments in May to show good faith and that the last scheduled payment under the current timetable is 06/30/2055. He described the county as the bondholder and the district as the payer under the intergovernmental agreement.
All three motions were moved, seconded and approved by oral vote. Chair Stewart noted the board will later vote on the guaranteed maximum price once the CMAR completes preconstruction work and submits that figure. Board members thanked county council and community supporters present at the meeting.
The superintendent said early fall (around September) is the district's current target for visible construction activity, with the guaranteed maximum price to be returned to the board for formal approval in the coming months.
Notes: The published agenda materials show Thompson Turner submitted a 3.5 percent fee and a $68,000 pre-construction allowance during selection; contractual and negotiation details were described as having been reviewed by district counsel and adjusted before the board vote.
