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Newport building committee hears construction progress, approves technology and site contracts
Summary
The Newport Building Committee received updates showing the school is roughly 47–48% built and approved several procurements and site-work contracts, including owner‑supplied technology, site concrete, landscaping and a Cox service agreement; staff were asked to refine a granite vs. concrete option and hold some alternates for later review.
The Newport Building Committee received construction and budget updates and approved a slate of procurement and site contracts at its meeting. An OPM representative from Downs said the project has reached "GMP3" and is "approximately 47–48%" built, with substantial brick, glazing and interior finishes underway.
The committee approved owner‑supplied technology equipment at $1,334,135.89 to be purchased from the technology budget; committee members were told Gilbane set an approximately Oct. 15 target to have Wi‑Fi and internet services operational so equipment and systems can be integrated. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
Miss Hall, a Gilbane representative, described exterior work and classroom progress: one brick elevation is "about 80%" complete, the curtain‑wall and window glazing crews will follow, and interior classroom wings are at different finish stages with painting and ceiling grid work beginning. She also said gym demolition is being prepped and that equipment mobilization for demolition should begin by mid next week.
Ted Tolis of the SLAM design team reported the design team has responded to roughly 350 RFIs and processed about 800–1,000 subcontractor submittals recently. SLAM has issued multiple bulletins (the most recent addresses a site redesign that keeps the access drive in front of the NACT tech building) and is coordinating a kitchen hood removal and other equipment decisions with Gilbane and the owner.
On the agenda for formal action, the committee approved a series of ATPS/RTAs: ATP 65/RFI 289 to add fire alarm devices (approved for code compliance), ATP 68 (Bulletin 21) yielding a credit of $80,825, ATP 74 (Phase 1B site work) to continue site work that supports the temporary certificate of occupancy path, and RTA 3B rev.1 (site concrete) at a price of $710,000. The committee approved RTA 01B rev.1 for final cleaning at $225,000 and the Cox Communications service agreement for $11,282.77 to pull fiber/telephone lines from the pole into the building's mechanical/communications room.
A major portion of discussion centered on RTA 32A (landscaping) at $710,241 and two value‑engineering deducts: (1) replacing a granite flag‑pole base with concrete (an approximate $66,000 credit) and (2) deferring site furnishings (about $175,000) to the FF&E budget or future purchase. Members debated durability, long‑term cost and appearance; the committee decided to remove the site‑furnishings item from the immediate scope and to hold the granite option pending staff return with smaller or lower‑cost granite alternatives and updated pricing.
The committee also authorized a change‑order review committee to approve change orders up to $25,000 each during the summer to avoid schedule delays when a full quorum is not available. Staff flagged an informational notice from Briggs (third‑party testing and inspections) seeking a 4.5% annual rate increase; staff will return with options.
The committee set a tentative next meeting for Aug. 2 if needed and adjourned.
Provenance: The OPM reported the 47–48% construction progress; Gilbane described the brickwork and glazing sequence; SLAM reported RFIs and bulletins; the committee voted on the technology purchase, multiple ATPS/RTAs, the Cox service agreement, and the change‑order review authority.
