South Kingstown school building committee reports enabling site work complete, bids and soils update

The South Kingstown School Building Committee told the town council on Sept. 8 that enabling site work at the new high school is substantially complete, early bid packages have been issued, and construction mobilization is expected in mid‑ to late‑September by the CM/contractor.

Committee chair Kate Massenanti and project partners from Gilbane, Lehi/Studio JADE and other consultants presented a schedule update and an environmental soils briefing:

Enabling work and schedule

The committee said crews completed most enabling work this summer so that major foundations and full building construction can proceed while school is in session. Remaining items include a power tie-in that is dependent on Rhode Island Energy’s overhead work and a shutdown/transfer that must be coordinated to avoid impacting school operations. Foundation permitting is under way and full building permits are expected later in the fall; bids for major packages are scheduled with a target guaranteed maximum price (GMP) recommendation to council in November.

Soils and environmental findings

An environmental contractor delineated petroleum‑impacted soils outside the school woodshop, with total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) exceedances found between 7 and 10 feet below grade. The town’s environmental consultant has discussed the findings with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), which recommended filing a Notification of Release so the department can determine next steps. Because the contaminated soils are deep and appear unlikely to leach to surface water, the committee said RIDEM staff indicated removal might not be necessary; however, if removal is required the volume appears limited and that work is scheduled for the later (2027) phase of the project so that it does not delay current foundations work.

Independent inspection and testing award

The town sought an independent inspection and testing agency (code-required quality assurance). The town received one responsive proposal from S.W. Cole and staff recommended awarding the contract. At the meeting the council approved the selection and noted the unit‑rate billing structure used for sampling and testing will be monitored against anticipated quantities.

Change‑order task force and cost controls

The committee reported work by a change‑order task force to recommend members and limits for change‑order authorizations; the draft will be reviewed by town legal staff before returning to council for approval. The committee plans for a community groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 4 at 10 a.m.

Next steps

Committee members said independent cost estimates are pending reconciliation and that bids for remaining construction packages are due in October with a GMP request back to the council in November. The town council will review the independent inspection/testing contract and the change‑order policies in subsequent meetings.