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Construction update: several major Lee County school projects hit Army Corps permitting delays, contingency uses disclosed
Summary
District construction staff reported November change-order totals, contingency uses and project estimates; several major rebuilds and new schools remain tied to U.S. Army Corps permitting windows that could add costs if reviews extend.
Scott Riggenbacher and Melissa Rivera briefed the board on November change orders and the bimonthly construction update, reporting direct material purchases, returned change-order savings and contingency expenditures across multiple projects.
For November, the district recorded a direct material purchase of $7,873 and returned change-order savings of about $1,027,332.21 across four projects; contingency adjustments expended $99,386.71, Riggenbacher said. He noted the district closed Franklin Park and moved it into project closeout and audit. The construction portfolio includes roughly 50 active projects at various stages.
Project-specific updates highlighted sites driven by Army Corps of Engineers permitting. Hector Cafferetta K-8 and several elementary and combo sites have Army Corps submissions (dates noted in the slides) that the district said are creating the largest scheduling risk. Riggenbacher said the district submitted Army Corps permitting for some sites in mid-November 2024 and is coordinating legislative and legal staff outreach to expedite reviews. He cautioned that if the Corps takes the full review period, project start dates could slip and inflation could substantially increase costs: "a two-year delay would be a 20% increase on a $100 million school could be a $20,000,000 increase," he said.
Other project updates: Bonita Springs Elementary rebuild has a 60% construction manager estimate of about $34.2 million (architect estimate had been $27 million); Kate Kroll Technical College expansion remains within the board-approved $25 million budget range with architect and construction-manager estimates near $19'0.5 million; a high-school 90% estimate came in at $161.5 million, near the board-approved $162.2 million capital-plan figure (construction-only, excluding FF&E). Riverdale remodel experienced unforeseen underground plumbing work ($358,723) absorbed by project contingency.
Board members asked about scope decisions (historic-building rebuild vs. separate maintenance renovations at Bonita Springs), timing for shovel-in-ground given Army Corps uncertainty, and which unforeseen costs would require board approvals. Riggenbacher said many cost estimates include design contingencies that typically shrink toward 100% drawings and that operations/maintenance may separately address some maintenance repairs to avoid triggering full-code renovations on historic campuses. He said staff will report back with updated timelines and permit-status information.
The board discussed inflation exposure and noted ongoing coordination with legislative staff to press permitting timelines.
