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Committee told dual-language/pre-K demo, abatement bids came back over budget; DEM to develop soil-management plan
Summary
Officials said demo and abatement bids for the dual-language and pre-K project exceeded estimates, prompting scope review; Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management will prepare a soil-management and remediation plan following a 10-day public comment period.
The committee received an update on the dual-language and pre-K project’s design and permitting. Sam Bradner, the project team member who led the update, said demolition and abatement bids "were above budget," forcing the team to re-evaluate scope and pricing and to look for savings that would not affect teaching and learning.
Bradner said the team held two public meetings: a planning-board hearing on March 25 to review preliminary plans, special-use permit and zoning variances, and a presentation to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) because of items found on the property. He said a 10-day public comment period is open and that DEM will use the record to develop a remediation and soil-management plan that will determine how much soil must be removed or can remain on site. "How much dirt has to come off-site, how much dirt has to come on-site ... will directly influence" project cost, he said.
Bradner told the committee the project team is working with the architect and design team to identify options to reduce costs; some changes are "low hanging fruit" that will not impact teaching and learning, while other items remain in limbo until abatement pricing is resolved. He said the team expects to present a 60% design package for approval by next month but cautioned that delays in scope decisions could affect the project schedule and bid timing.
The committee discussed potential funding mechanics and how the costs of abatement and remediation would be allocated. Republic Services submitted one change-order request for hazardous-materials removal for $16,436.50; the project team said that amount fits an existing budget line and would not be a contingency draw if captured under the project’s budget.
Next steps include reviewing DEM’s remediation guidance once issued, working with the architect on design adjustments to meet budget constraints, and returning to the committee with a 60% package for approval.
