The Newport School Committee voted unanimously to approve a $24 million bid by Rhode Island-based Bacon/Agostini Construction to serve as the general contractor for the construction of the Claiborne d. Pell Elementary School at their regular monthly meeting on Feb. 14.
Coming in at $24,050,700, the Bacon/Agostini proposal was the lowest of three submitted bids; and nearly $4 million less than the lowest bidder in the first-round of bids received last October.
Once on the possible chopping-block, the contingency fund of $1.2 million plus $866,000 in furniture and fixture funds will now be maintained in the plan.
“I think this is great,” said Supt. John H. Ambrogi. “After all these years, we’re getting it across the finish line.”
Jim Farrar of Farrar & Associates, the Owner’s Representative for the project told the committee, “It was very exciting to see that hard work pay off.”
He commented on how all three bids received were within “striking distance” of where the group wanted to be, with “one right where we wanted … and actually better.”
According to Farrar, the Bacon/Agostini contracting team will be on the Dexter Street site in a matter of weeks, with work beginning at the beginning of March. The new school is now expected to open on time in September 2013.
“It doesn’t get any better than where we are today,” he said.
School Committee member Jo Eva Gaines asked Farrar, “When can we start painting the shovels [for the groundbreaking?]” Farrar answered with a smile, saying, “Now. Get them ready!”
From there, the committee swiftly moved through a number of action items pertaining to the Pell School Supplemental Contract with HMFH Architects, the Cambridge-based firm hired to design the new school. One action item explored the possibility of eliminating the much-discussed bridge. The bridge, which would connect the second floor to a hill that would be used as an egress-level emergency exit in case of an emergency, had been the source of concern on the part of parents.
In response, the committee unanimously voted to approve a $16,934 redesign that would eliminate the structure, replacing it with the addition of an interior staircase. In addition to eliminating what critics said was a safety hazard; Ambrogi estimated that the re-design would result in a savings of roughly $90,000.
School Committee member Sandra J. Flowers expressed some concern in the elimination of the bridge, especially for handicapped students. “I just hope there is a means by which anyone with a disability is able to get out safely.”
Latest Comments
don't talk if you don't know
Posted by npt resident February 17, 2012 09:31:49
Walk to school...?
Posted by Chaz February 16, 2012 17:01:32
Snark and condescending remarks
Posted by Concerned Taxpayer February 16, 2012 15:39:21
Pell School
Posted by npt resident February 16, 2012 12:47:53