Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facilities Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
School committee approves lease allowing Gilbane offices in Hazard Building during construction
Summary
Committee approved a nominal lease allowing Gilbane Building Company to occupy two offices in the Hazard Building during construction; staff said the arrangement saves about $1 million compared with temporary trailers and includes background checks, insurance and immediate termination rights for the district.
The South Kingstown School Committee approved a lease that allows Gilbane Building Company to use two office suites and associated bathrooms on the third floor of the Hazard Building during construction of the new high school.
District staff said the arrangement will save roughly $750,000 to $1 million compared with providing temporary double-wide office trailers on site, and that the lease includes conditions intended to protect students and operations. Those protections include a designated side entrance with keypad access, issuance of access cards only after background checks, signage limiting access to allowed floors, insurance and indemnification clauses tied to the town's contract with Gilbane, and an immediate termination clause for any violations.
Why it matters: The district said using existing space in the Hazard Building avoids the expense and logistics of temporary modular offices and reduces additional site impacts; staff emphasized that the leased area is physically separated from instructional spaces and that building access will be controlled.
Key details: A staff member who drafted the lease told the committee that Gilbane requested space for about 12 people and that each individual who will be issued an access card must complete a full background check; visitors who cannot be background-checked must be accompanied by a cleared district employee. Rent was set at a nominal $1 per month as legal consideration; presenters said the rent is intentionally tokenized to document consideration but that the district's primary benefit is cost savings and reduced site disruption. The lease incorporates insurance limits drawn from the town's contract with Gilbane and includes indemnification language. Committee members stressed that the rental area has been used for district operations previously and said the location provides easier oversight than temporary trailers.
The motion to approve the Hazard Building lease passed by voice vote.
