Central Falls committee advances Stage 3 design and expedited demo for dual-language school, keeps April 1 demo target

The Central Falls School Building Committee voted to submit Stage 3 design development documents and to advance an expedited early abatement and demolition package for the new dual-language school and the existing Central Falls High School.

Members heard a construction update from Erica, who said the education wing of the new high school is ahead of the community wing and that "we're really starting to gear up on turnover," with owner training and commissioning scheduled to begin in January and furniture, fixtures and equipment arriving in February. Erica reported the project's target for the first day of school is February 23.

Design leads Julie and Justin outlined the schedule for the early demo package: advertise and bid in February, award after a month to two months of bidding, and mobilize demolition on an April 1 target. Justin described the demo scope as securing the site with construction fencing and stormwater controls, abating identified hazardous materials under Board of Health protocols, demolishing the building above and below grade without exporting soils where possible, and leaving a stabilized fenced site for the general contractor to begin vertical construction.

Committee members pressed on logistics for salvaging items before contractor takeover, staffing capacity to execute a compressed move-out, and protections for federally funded items. Members agreed to prepare a coordinated timeline and outreach process; the district will use a Google form to collect salvage requests and will coordinate with city staff for additional manpower if available.

Budgetary and procurement details were also discussed. Erica said approved change orders total about $940,000 with potential change orders under review of $354,000, leaving about $858,000 in owner's contingency. The design team presented an early demo/abatement estimate of roughly $3.9 million and hard construction estimates that place the new building at about $502 per square foot and a projected hard-cost construction total of just over $46 million when contingencies and soft costs are included.

The committee voted to bundle and approve the Stage 3 design development submission and the Stage 3 expedited demo submittal for the existing Central Falls High School; the motion carried with recorded Ayes and no opposition.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of meeting minutes (procedural): motion carried (Aye). - Motion to bundle and approve Stage 3 design development and Stage 3 expedited demo: motion carried (Aye). - Bond requisition #28: motion carried (Aye).

Next steps: the design team will submit the Stage 3 materials to RIDE as planned, issue the early demo bid package in February, complete the abatement protocol and demolition mobilization, and return to the committee with firm bid numbers and any updates on required items such as a fire pump.