Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Radnor Facilities Committee previews Ithan Elementary bid release as board members press for line‑by‑line cost detail
Summary
The committee reviewed the project timeline and a staff recommendation to authorize public bidding for a full replacement of Ithan Elementary. Board members pressed architects and the construction manager for detailed explanations of estimates that rose from mid‑$50 million figures to roughly $77–79 million; an owner‑initiated tree‑removal change order was presented as a schedule‑driven reallocation of funds.
Ken Morris, administrative staff for the Radnor Township SD Facilities Committee, told the panel at its Nov. 11 meeting that the administration will seek board authorization on Nov. 18 to advertise bids for a full replacement of Ithan Elementary School and that bids would be received in January with contract approvals expected at the February board business meeting.
Architect Steve Behrens of Breslin Architecture summarized the multi‑phase project history, saying the district moved from a 2020 feasibility study through programming and schematic design to the construction‑document phase now being completed. "We're looking forward next week to the Board authorizing the administration to release the new Ithan Elementary School for public bidding," Behrens said during the committee preview.
Why it matters: the release to bid starts the formal public‑procurement clock and will produce firm market prices for the full construction scope. Committee members said they need a clear accounting of large estimate changes before voting to let the project hit the market.
Cost escalation and board concern A committee member asked for a detailed reconciliation after earlier presentations showed an Option 3 estimate of "57,000,565" (and…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
