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Bell Avenue elevator estimate rises to about $1,000,036; district to solicit electrical quotes, seek approvals
Summary
District staff told the committee the Bell Avenue elevator project rose from roughly $700,000 to about $1,000,036 because the job cannot be grandfathered into the existing fire system and because of market conditions; staff said they received GC and HVAC bids, will solicit electrical quotes through a cooperative agreement, and will present motions to the full board.
William Penn School District staff told the construction committee the Bell Avenue elevator project has an increased price and that staff will seek committee permission to forward related bids to the full board for contractual approval.
Mr. Deans said the original estimate of about $700,000 has increased to roughly $1,000,036. He cited two primary drivers: the project can no longer be grandfathered into the building’s existing fire system, requiring a new code-compliant fire alarm with strobes and audible sounders, and broader economic conditions that have raised construction and material costs. "Those are the biggest factors within the cost increases," Deans said.
Deans said the district did not receive any electrical bids during the formal bid process and obtained solicitor approval to use a cooperative purchasing agreement to solicit electrical work directly. CB Development is obtaining two quotes for the required electrical scope and will contact preferred contractors; Deans said two general-contractor bids and two HVAC bids were received and that staff will seek committee approval now because long material lead times could delay work.
Deans emphasized the schedule constraint: "We will not begin with the project until the full and final budget is presented to this committee, during our June debate." He also said any GC award will be subject to solicitor review before contractual execution.
In response to a question from Miss Hoff about funding and the district’s relationship with contractor SB Conrad, Deans said the district expects to cover the increased elevator costs with savings realized elsewhere in the capital program (he cited a previously budgeted Pinwood Middle School roof replacement that staff said was budgeted at 4.47 and came in at 1.9, as stated). Deans said SB Conrad did not work on the stadium, that SB Conrad was the GC on Ebony East Lansdowne, and that the company has credited the district for corrective work and outstanding items on past projects.
What’s next: Staff will present the full elevator budget and requested contract approvals to the full board for formal action; no committee vote was recorded in the transcript.
