Evergreen Elementary update: site work done, GMP 3 to come as district says project is on schedule

A project presenter updated the board on Evergreen Elementary construction, saying early site work is complete, utilities and sidewalks are installed, and crews have poured footings and are preparing to prefab walls on site.

“The project is moving along extraordinarily well,” the presenter said, describing executed contract amendments for the validation phase and two guaranteed maximum price (GMP) packages. He told the board GMP 3, which will encompass the entire project budget under progressive design‑build, will be brought forward at the next board meeting.

The presenter outlined schedule milestones: 90% construction documents due Oct. 19, 100% CDs expected mid‑to‑late December, and early framing likely to begin in the fall. He said the team has advanced long‑lead procurement for mechanical and electrical work and built contingency into contracts to mitigate schedule risk. Board members asked about commissioning and occupancy timelines; staff said commissioning will occur before and during occupancy and that the targeted occupancy window was late July (discussed as July 27) to allow a brief window for final punch‑list work prior to school opening.

Board members and administrators emphasized monitoring risk because the schedule has limited float. The presenter described additional required OSPI documentation—constructability and value engineering reviews—despite using progressive design‑build.