Central Falls high-school construction nears turnover; small change order covered by contingency

The School Building Committee heard an update on construction progress at Central Falls High School, with staff saying interior finish work is wrapping up and exterior signage and pavers are installed.

Erica, representing the OPM team, told the committee the education wing is coming together with millwork and final coats of paint in place, and that the gymnasium is substantially complete while the auditorium continues to progress. She said vendors on site include Cox Cable, Groundworks and E Plus, and that the district is coordinating turnover activities with the superintendent, principal and the athletic director. "A lot of activity in kind of that final push to get the building ready for turnover," Erica said.

Erica reported change order 13 totaling $112,231.24 and said the work was paid from owner construction contingency so there is no impact to the project bottom line. She said owner-construction-contingency utilization is holding at roughly 47 percent as the team monitors additional change orders and reconciles the final budget.

Committee members asked operational questions about dining and flexible space; OPM said the student dining commons is intended to be flexible and configurations could allow two to three groups to use the space with reconfiguration, and that storage for movable furniture will rely on stackable or loose seating.

The OPM update also covered separate work on the track-and-field replacement and a retaining wall that affects a private property; the team said the track work will be bid as a separate, specialty package and that pricing and scope negotiations were ongoing with BRAIT for the retaining wall. Final pricing for that change order is expected next month.

No vote was required on the construction progress update. The committee moved on to related agenda items after the presentation.