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Geotechnical issues add scope and time to Robert E. Howard Elementary project, MBcon says
Summary
Contractor and design-team representatives told the Orangeburg County School District board that subsurface borings found unsuitable soils and debris on the Howard Elementary site, requiring remediation work that adds scope and could affect the schedule and Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) timeline.
Representatives for MBcon and the district’s design team told the Orangeburg County School District board on Feb. 11 that geotechnical testing at the Robert E. Howard Elementary site uncovered unsuitable soils and debris that will require removal and replacement before foundations can be constructed.
Craig Floyd, vice president of MBcon’s construction management division, said the project is “coming down the home stretch” on the GMP process but that the geotechnical report identified soil conditions that “have thrown us some late curve balls.” Bidders’ submittals were due the day after the meeting; MBcon said it planned to present the GMP package to the superintendent the following week and to request board approval on March 11.
An LS3P representative explained the borings found landfill-type materials and debris under what will be the building pad and that, as a result, “materials need to be removed and replaced so that the footings of the new building are on a suitable…” (excerpted). MBcon outlined remediation options from the geotechnical engineer and said the discovery could add time and cost to the project; the team said bids overall were trending favorably despite the new scope.
MBcon gave a short schedule update: final sub-bids were due the day after the meeting, the team expected to review bids and present a package to Superintendent Dr. Foster on Feb. 20 or 21, and the board could see a GMP amendment at its March 11 meeting. Floyd said the geotechnical findings “do add some time to the schedule” but that the team was working to keep the school turnover for next summer on track.
Board members asked clarifying questions about the severity of the subsurface conditions and the oversight role of inspectors. MBcon and district staff confirmed the district will use third‑party special inspectors to verify remediation and that similar borings adjacent to the existing building produced comparable results, indicating the current building also sits on marginal soil.
Background provided in the meeting noted related site work in progress across other projects: field house footings poured, sanitary sewer installation, retaining walls at visitor bleachers, and demolition at Eastlake Elementary roughly 50 percent complete with hazardous material abatement finished. The district also reported Thompson & Turner will begin digging the retention pond at Eastlake next week; demolition was projected to finish in early March depending on weather.
Ending: MBcon and the district said they would continue to refine remediation plans with the design team and present the GMP amendment to the board for approval. The board asked staff to ensure third‑party inspection and verification procedures are included in the remediation schedule and cost estimates.
