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Design team outlines $461 million cost estimate for West Hill school, presents $6 million in potential savings and schedule to February design development
Summary
Design consultants told the Stamford School District Operations Committee the West Hill new-construction project’s reconciled estimate is about $461 million — roughly $160 million over the grant estimate — and described design changes (reduced footprint, relocated tennis courts, rooftop mechanicals) and next steps in schedule and value management.
The Stamford School District’s design team presented a detailed update on the West Hill new-construction project at the Operations Committee meeting Aug. 20, saying reconciled cost estimates now put the project at about $461 million — roughly $160 million above the original $301 million grant estimate — and outlining design changes intended to reduce cost and improve constructability.
"We are starting to see an estimate of a 71% budget increase," the design representative, Catherine, told the committee, adding that the team is pursuing design adjustments and value-management options to reduce cost. She said the team identified about $6 million in additional potential savings through plan changes including reduced circulation space, relocating some mechanical spaces, moving mechanical equipment to the rooftop, and tightening building massing. The design work also reduced the building by about 35,000 square feet.
Catherine walked members through site-plan moves meant to reduce expensive regrading and retaining walls. The team settled on a final parking count of 566 (the presentation noted existing parking of 539 and an earlier draft of 625). To reduce earthwork and grading issues, the tennis courts will be relocated from their current site. "We are moving the courts," Catherine said when asked directly.
The natatorium remains an alternate priced at about $19 million and is not part of the base scope in the reconciled estimate. The design team also described phasing and an early mobilization package as possible tactics to manage schedule and price risk; Catherine said design development will continue through February, with additional estimating between mid-December and February and state sign-off required on the construction manager before bid packages for 2025.
Board members asked whether the full board needed to reconvene on Aug. 27 after the depth of tonight’s presentation; Catherine said the consultants will return with more detailed budget reconciliation and asked the board to review the slides in advance. Andy George asked whether the auditorium would have adequate fly space; Catherine said the architectural team had discussed fly-space requirements and she would request more detailed information for the board.
The presentation closed with a plan for more frequent project-planning meetings through year-end; the committee scheduled follow-up work and expects consultants to return with reconciled estimates and additional value-management options.
