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East Greenwich council advances Stage 3 school-construction scope, authorizes schematic design and cost estimating
Summary
Council unanimously approved the school construction committee’s Stage 3 recommendation to pursue high-school items A–D and build new Frenchtown (5-track) and Hannaford (4-track) elementary schools, authorizing schematic design and third-party cost estimating after consultants presented initial scenarios with combined costs well above the $150 million bond authorization.
The East Greenwich Town Council voted Nov. 12 to advance the school construction Stage 3 project-scope recommended by the School Construction Committee: specific high-school renovations (items A–D) and new construction for Frenchtown (5-track) and Hannaford (4-track) elementary schools. The vote authorizes consultants to proceed to schematic design and obtain third‑party cost estimates to refine project budgets.
Consultants from Left Field, Consigli Construction and AI3 Architects presented program layouts, phasing plans and initial cost ranges. Chris Spiegel, the project director and RIDE liaison, outlined the high-school work — mechanical and custodial improvements, an auditorium refresh, athletics and locker-room renovations, and a life-skills addition — and said that package is currently estimated at about $28 million. The new Frenchtown elementary concept was estimated at about $77.1 million. Hannaford options rose to the top as either a major renovation (addition/reno) or new construction; the consultants said the difference between the renovation and new-build options for Hannaford was roughly $4 million in their early estimates, with combined scenario totals roughly $169 million to $172.7 million depending on the Hannaford choice.
Consultants and councilors repeatedly emphasized uncertainty in these high-level numbers: renovation work can uncover concealed mechanical and hazardous-material issues that increase costs, while delaying the project risks material and labor escalation and could reduce state reimbursement. Left Field staff noted the town currently benefits from an enhanced Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) reimbursement rate (about 55¢ on the dollar as described in the meeting) that could fall if the project is postponed. The consultants recommended proceeding to schematic design so the team can obtain more accurate third‑party cost estimates and then identify value-management options.
Council members asked about schedule, grant and loan options, operating-cost impacts and whether the town could fund amounts beyond the existing $150 million authorization. Town Manager Andrew Nada and consultants described possible uses of available, unissued school debt and premium proceeds, meetings with the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank and potential energy-rebate funding as avenues to narrow funding gaps. Several councilors said they remain committed to fiscal scrutiny and signaled differing limits on how much over $150 million they would support.
After discussion, the council voted to approve the Stage 3 project-scope recommendation (high-school items A–D; new Frenchtown; new Hannaford) and authorized the consultants to proceed to schematic design and cost estimating so the town can return with firm numbers and value-management alternatives. The motion carried unanimously as recorded in the meeting minutes.
What’s next: consultants will complete schematic design and produce updated third-party cost estimates; the council and school committee will review refined estimates and proposed cost-reduction options before any final funding decisions or referendum, and the town will pursue available grants and low-interest financing opportunities.
