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Fountain Hill project behind schedule after winter storms, district says
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Summary
District staff reported that Fountain Hill Elementary’s construction fell behind schedule because heavy snow and freeze conditions delayed earthwork and made locating rebar difficult; foundation and shoring work are underway and staff will track recovery options weekly.
District staff told the facilities committee that construction at Fountain Hill Elementary is behind schedule due to severe winter weather that stalled site work and complicated rebar locating.
A staff presenter walked the committee through recent site photos and described substantial temporary shoring and foundation work. "The contractor wanted us to pay them to find the rebar, and I said we're not doing that," said a staff member involved in the project, explaining that deep snow and cold days slowed progress. The presenter said the team removed eight inches of snow from William Penn’s roof on Feb. 13 and completed some temporary fixes, but ongoing rainy and cold weather forced the contractor to delay scheduled steel work.
Another staff member described the temporary shoring at Arabia Street and the scale of the retaining-wall work, and the committee discussed utilities reroutes and earthwork timing. A business-office project lead thanked the site and design teams for predictable progress once above-ground work begins and said the district will monitor whether any in-ground conditions create longer-term impacts.
Staff said they are tracking the schedule weekly and will return with a recovery plan if needed. "We are tracking weekly on the schedule," the staff member said, noting the district had expected to be swinging steel toward the end of the month but had to push that date back. The committee did not vote on contract changes at the meeting and asked staff to report options as the schedule develops.
The committee also discussed related bid awards for summer capital projects in which several items came in under budget, and staff reiterated that the district will continue to prioritize critical-path construction tasks as weather improves.
