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Committee reviews pared‑down design guidelines and updates on Savannah High, Jacob G. Smith and other projects
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Summary
The CIC reviewed a final draft (reduced to ~252 pages) of construction design guidelines, heard construction and permitting updates for Savannah High, Jacob G. Smith and other schools, and discussed green‑space and accessibility concerns and the program‑manager procurement timeline.
Committee members reviewed a substantially condensed final draft of the district construction design guidelines and received detailed project updates on several active sites.
Staff told the committee the draft design guidelines have been reduced from almost 300 pages to about 252 pages and that departmental comments have been incorporated; after CIC feedback the document will be forwarded to the board for final approval. Committee members emphasized that design guidelines should ensure consistent attention to green space, spectator/guest circulation and long‑term durability of materials.
Project updates and timing: staff displayed photos and schedule notes for Jacob G. Smith (progress on LVT floors and pending overhead inspections), said Savannah High's baseball field permitting should be complete this week with an October target for substantial completion, and reported that several other projects (Georgetown, Windsor Forest, West Chatham programming) are progressing through design or closeout phases. For the Innovation Learning Center staff said an NTP has been issued to Carol Daniel, vandalism cleanup is complete, and a community sale of surplus furniture and equipment will be advertised in newspaper and social media; most remaining FF&E will be priced at $1.
Concerns raised: multiple members pressed for more green space and urged use of trees (rather than temporary sunshades) where possible; staff acknowledged tight sites and flooding constraints but said they will incorporate access routes and reclaim underused areas where feasible. On playgrounds, staff said new playground orders are ADA‑compliant and older playgrounds are being replaced as budgets allow.
Procurement and program‑manager timing: the committee discussed the program‑manager procurement and interim management. The procurement lead said she hopes the committee can make a recommendation in May so the board can consider it in June; several members said the August board meeting may be a more realistic approval target given graduations and busy schedules. Staff said existing project managers are covering current work and that an internal transition to portfolio managers is planned to focus on preventative maintenance and smaller projects.
Closing: staff will adjust timelines for CIC review of the design guidelines and will notify members when the Bull Street RFP committee is formed; the May CIC meeting was canceled and members agreed to reconvene in June.
