Board approves early site civil contracts for Oklahoma Aviation Academy

At a regular meeting of the Norman Board of Education, trustees voted to approve early site civil contracts for the Oklahoma Aviation Academy, including selective demolition, earthwork and site utilities, to allow an early construction start.

The contracts presented by Manhattan Construction include selective demolition and earthwork (apparent low bidder: K&M) and site utilities (apparent low bidder: Patriot Construction). Brent Collins of Manhattan Construction said the early package "is an early site civil package. We were able to do this to facilitate the early start of the project, better ensuring the end date." He told the board the bids provided good coverage and that the numbers were “pleasing against budget.”

Board members asked whether soil testing had been completed before breaking ground. Collins said that testing "was part of the initial site investigation," and he was not aware of any issues requiring on-site remediation. A staff member present (referred to as Jason in the discussion) was asked to confirm sampling details for the record. The board also asked about stormwater detention; Collins said a large detention area built near Robinson on airport property "is big enough to service the entire airport campus," allowing the project to avoid on-site detention.

A motion to approve the selective demolition, earthwork and site utilities bids for the Oklahoma Aviation Academy passed on a roll-call vote of five in favor, none opposed.

The board did not set further conditions in the meeting minutes beyond the award and the staff discussion about testing and detention. Construction representatives said site mobilization, fencing and the early trade packages would begin once contracts are executed.