Construction update: Bullitt East fine-arts addition nearing completion; geothermal work to start this summer

Kate Noble Ward of Studio & Kramer Architects gave trustees a facilities update focused on ongoing projects at Bullitt East, North Bullitt and Bullitt Central.

Ward said Bullitt East's fine-arts addition is in active finish work: flooring and auditorium protections are in place and the team anticipates substantial completion close to June 1, followed by punch inspections. "We're still charting the June 1 substantial completion," she said, and noted occupancy work and move-in activity are planned before the first day of school.

North Bullitt's Physical Science Center experienced material delays to a cable-tray order; installation began the day of the meeting after that delay. Ward also reported completion or inspection work for tennis-court lighting across sites and visible progress on Bullitt Central's annex and gateway structures.

Ward described summer plans for a geothermal field adjacent to one project: crews will drill approximately 400-foot wells in a parking area as part of an on-site geothermal system. "So that's gonna look like a mud pit all summer," she said, explaining the wells will serve the building's system. Trustees acknowledged the schedule and asked follow-up questions; the architect said change orders being presented included a net-zero DPO adjustment, recommended dock bumpers and painting revisions at Bullitt East.

The board did not reject any construction recommendations; administration warned that punch-list work and supplier schedules could affect minor dates but that overall occupancy planning remains on track.

Provenance Topic began with Kate Noble Ward's presentation and concluded with trustee questions and the architect's final notes on change orders and next steps.