Owner's rep recommends pre-engineered metal bus barn; board to weigh bids and financing

The Columbus School District on an off-cycle meeting reviewed competitive bids and financing options for a proposed off-campus bus barn serving Columbus Elem. Mark, the district's owner's representative, told the board that a pre-engineered metal building (PEMB) would likely extend the facility's useful life to about 50 years for roughly a $50,000 premium compared with a wood-framed ‘‘pole barn.' "My recommendation would be to go with a 50 year building for a $50,000 difference," Mark said during the presentation.

Why it matters: the board must weigh a modest upfront premium against longer-term durability while also budgeting for known uncertainties under the site, financing the project and addressing neighborhood concerns about traffic and noise.

Bids and design options: Mark explained the project was bid as a wood structure with a voluntary alternate to allow PEMB proposals. The owner's all-in cost worksheet included contractor construction pricing, design and owner's representative fees, permits, performance and payment bond (about 2.25 percent), testing and inspection and estimated financing costs. He told the board Jackson Construction was the low bidder on the wood design and Gen 7 submitted a lower total when proposing a PEMB alternate. The owner's total project cost estimates produced a difference of about $50,000 between the wood and PEMB options.

Soil, foundations and contingency: board members repeatedly raised subsurface risk. Mark said foundations differ by system (PEMB foundations tend to be larger but fewer footings) and emphasized the geotechnical report and a planned preloading program to stabilize the site. To cover unforeseen subsurface conditions he recommended an owner contingency of roughly 5 percent (approximately $90,000).

Operations and neighborhood concerns: board members and a bus driver described operational trade-offs from moving the bus barn off campus, including routes that cross busy streets, snow-removal logistics and potential noise impacts in adjacent neighborhoods. A board member noted the district will make a final decision at the Jan. 13 meeting and invited the public to review documents and comment beforehand: "we will make a final decision at the meeting on the 13th," the member said.

Schedule and contract controls: Mark said PEMB work can add lead time (12–16 weeks for shop drawings and steel fabrication) compared with wood framing, and recommended including contractual schedule milestones and liquidated damages (he cited typical daily penalties such as $500–$1,000) to keep the contractor on track. Construction durations quoted by bidders ranged from roughly four to eight months depending on means and methods.

Costs, value engineering and contract terms: Mark identified possible value-engineering items (different floor sealer, removal of some roof liner panels) that could reduce cost by an additional $35,000–$40,000. He also said he would ensure Gen 7's written assurance on foundation design and included design coverage would be incorporated into the contract.

Financing next steps: Casey said the district solicited proposals from local lenders (Stockman, 1st Interstate and Yellowstone banks) and that the Board of Investments indicated it would honor the district's use of local banks. Bank proposals were expected by Jan. 9 to give the board time to select financing at the Jan. 13 meeting.

What's next: the board requested banks' proposals and asked staff to return with contract language that captures Gen 7's design commitments, a recommended contingency, and schedule/liquidated-damage terms. The meeting ended by unanimous voice consent on a motion to adjourn.

(Reporting note: speaker names and roles are taken from the meeting transcript: Casey (board chair), Mark (owner's representative/consultant) and a bus driver who spoke about routing and snow removal.)