Bid approved for new high school
A multi-million dollar bid for the proposed second Madison high school was approved at the Oct. 21 Board of Education meeting.
School Superintendant Dr. Dee Fowler called school one of “the most anticipated topics over the last three or four years.”
The total cost was an estimated $63 million, but, Fowler said, with lengthy negotiations, the price was eventually lowered.
“The 350,000 sq ft. building will cost $52 million and another $10.5 million for furniture, fields and other amenities,” Fowler said.
He said they were able to negotiate a price down to a little more than $48 million.
“The school will be completely equip with cleaning equipment, supplies and books included in that price,” Fowler said. “To get to that number, we bid the packages and met with each one of the contractors to negotiate money out of the contract. It was a long and arduous process.”
Fowler also said the new high school will also have a $500,000 safe room, which would house 2,000 students.
“Another great ting about this package is qualified school construction bond,” he later added.
The board also approved a $27.5 million bid for a general works package from Doster Construction Company, a $2.5 million bid for plumbing from Dean Plumbing, $8 million for mechanical contracts from J.K. Johnson Mechanical Contractors, a $9.5 million electrical package from Marathon Electrical and a $700,000 fire and protection package from Brendle Sprinkler Co.
Board member Phil Schmidt said although they were able to lower the bid amounts, they did not have to compromise the integrity and safety of the school.
If approved, Leon Barkan, with Volkert & Association, said letters of intent would be issued to contractors immediately.
“We would start the mobilization of contractors first week of November,” Barkan said.
He said their goal was to get everything up and moving before the weather changes.
“Our city is well on it’s way to securing what was once our biggest problem and it will continue to be our biggest asset,” said Mayor Paul Finley. “Everything they have at Bob Jones they will have at this school.”
Another issue brought up at the meeting was the new facility for the Bob Jones wrestling team. An anonymous donor gave $250,000 to the school, but Fowler said the actual cost of construction would have come out to be $350,000, with a 7 percent engineering fee. An anonymous donor gave the overhead amount to go ahead with construction of the new building. It is expected to be completed by 2012.
