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Architects report: 90% construction documents, 60% cost reconciliation and permitting on track; proprietary security system discussion deferred
Summary
Architects reported construction documents are about 90% complete with bids targeted for March; 60% cost estimates reconciled within 2% and final estimates expected by the end of the week. The committee deferred a vote on a proposed Verkada cloud-based security system pending vendor and town-staff briefing.
Architects and project staff updated the Middletown School Building Committee on Jan. 29 that construction documents for the new middle-high school are roughly 90% complete and bidding is targeted for March.
Project architect representatives said the team has about five weeks to finalize construction documents and will coordinate final addenda with the construction manager before soliciting bids. Cost estimating returned two independent estimates reconciled within about 2 percent; final reconciled estimates were expected by the end of the week following the meeting. The team identified a small amount of remaining value-management work primarily related to aesthetic items and non-structural components.
Permitting work is moving forward: the Federal Aviation Administration completed review and determined the new building does not pose an aviation hazard and does not require marking, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) continues stormwater review, and the state Department of Transportation has the civil engineer’s initial letter under review with comments expected by late February. The team reported the 60% construction-document submission to the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) is scheduled for mid-February with TRC (technical review committee) meetings targeted in mid-February and subsequent planning-board reviews in late February and early March.
On a proprietary-security question, architects and project staff presented a recommended cloud-based integrated security platform (identified in the meeting as a Verkada system) that would provide cameras, access control and intercom for both the new middle-high school and the existing elementary/high-school renovations. Several committee members raised concerns about vendor support, local installer availability and the absence of a town staff representative who could explain ongoing maintenance and long-term support. Committee members requested David (town staff or security lead) be present to answer operational and procurement questions and asked that the proposal return to the committee with supporting materials and vendor representation. The committee agreed to defer any vote on approving a proprietary security product to a future meeting.
Other project items discussed included ongoing coordination with Rhode Island Energy about an executed utility easement (see separate discussion), civil-package delivery for roads and utilities review, and a plan to submit final reconciled 60% cost estimates and documents to the construction manager in early February. Project team members reiterated that if permitting reviews require pivots, changes can be addressed during the bid phase.
The architects reported construction of the middle-high school is planned to proceed through 2027 with punch-list work and demolition of existing structures following; the team noted final project closeout dates and exact school-occupation timing as part of continued schedule reconciliation.
