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Central Falls high school nears completion; $3 million added to project budget
Summary
Committee heard a progress report showing the high school is largely dry and moving into finishes, tracked several bid packages for the track and field, and was told a $3,000,000 FEI boost increased the overall project budget to $111,000,000.
At a Central Falls School Building Committee meeting, project staff reported the new high school is substantially complete on its shell work and moving into interior finishes while several ancillary packages are moving toward bid and review.
The committee heard that much of the exterior siding and first-floor concrete masonry unit work is in place, interior sanding and painting have begun on upper floors, and the building is “about 99% dry” pending final roof work and detailing around rooftop units and drains. Presenters showed photos of the gym, cafeteria (planned capacity: 250 seats), a double-height CTE classroom that spans the second and third floors, and mechanical rooms where electrical panels are being installed.
The committee was told the design team is advancing three separate packages for the track and field: a concessions building (proposal request to Bridal Builders), a track-and-field replacement package (60% documents received; 90% anticipated with an April 11 delivery and 100% construction documents on April 18, followed by pricing and ownership-team review in May), and two retaining walls (60% documents scheduled for April 15 and 100% for April 23). Staff said each package will be routed to the ownership team and to the general contractor for pricing once documents are final.
On procurement and systems, presenters said the city IT team is working through purchasing and had a bid opening for IT items the day of the meeting; IT infrastructure (HVAC integration, intrusion alarms, cameras) must be in place prior to turnover. MBE participation percentages were unchanged from the previous report, and staff noted the IT procurements may affect participation reporting.
Financial updates included an FEI boost funding source of $3,000,000 that was applied to hard costs and inspection line items. Staff reported the adjustment increased the hard cost line to $93,000,000 and raised the total project budget to $111,000,000 from the prior $108,000,000. Bond reimbursement #20 covering invoices for AI3, Bridal Consulting, Peregrine, Grape Builders, Sage Environmental and Stephen Turner Inc. was listed at $4,591,156.36; a revolving fund reimbursement request #6 for AI3 and Peregrine was $10,398.39. Staff said the newly added $3,000,000 is expected to be drawn down next month for select items.
Committee members also heard apprenticeship and sustainability updates. Apprenticeship utilization for the project is 17.11%, above the project-labor-agreement goal of 15%. The city has issued an RFP for photovoltaic (solar) panels; presenters cautioned market and policy uncertainty could affect vendor responses.
No new owner-construction contingency drawdowns were reported for the month. Staff noted one previously discussed auditorium change is now being funded from an alternate source and therefore removed from the contingency log shown to the committee.
Project staff identified next procurement and review steps for the track-and-field packages and said they will present final prices and recommendations to the ownership team for approval.
