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PGCPS capital updates: Suitland High proceeds; William Schmidt center under construction
Summary
PGCPS project staff told the committee the outdoor William Schmidt center is under construction with a roughly $59M construction budget and Suitland High's performing arts component is underway with a $390M construction budget and a target delivery in fall 2028.
Project management staff updated the committee on major capital projects and summer work. Will Smith, project management supervisor, said the William Schmidt outdoor education center is actively in construction with a construction budget of roughly $59 million. He also reported progress at Suitland High School where structural steel is complete, mechanical/electrical/plumbing rough‑in is underway, and the performing‑arts portion carries an overall construction budget of about $390 million with a phased delivery targeted for fall 2028.
Smith reviewed several recently completed projects and summer work, including HVAC modernizations and stadium/athletic renovations at multiple schools. Committee members asked for renderings and documentation; Smith said staff would share renderings and the project team invited members to ribbon‑cutting events and site tours.
Council members used the presentation to press for transparency about change orders, escalated costs, and value engineering on high‑profile projects. Capital staff described a review and approval process for potential change orders (PCOs) that includes engineers, project managers and architects, and said contested escalation claims are subject to negotiation and third‑party review when necessary.
