SOUTH PORTLAND — The
renovation and expansion of South Portland High School is expected to start
April 3, to allow for increased flexibility during the first stage of phasing
in the construction process, a school department press release said last
week.
Also, the
release announced that bids for general contractors will be accepted Feb. 23,
and a general contractor will be chosen in March.
The first
stage of the construction project is scheduled to be completed in 22 months and
will include the completion of the cafeteria, kitchen, lecture hall, Learning
Commons, new classroom areas and renovation of Beal Gym.
The
Building Committee approved an earlier start date for the project to
accommodate any unforeseen delays or schedule adjustments due to inclement
weather during Stage One. The new start date also reduces the need for
portable classrooms during Stage Two of phasing and allows for a December 2014
anticipated project completion date.
“We have
worked diligently to devise a phasing plan to minimize the impact on students,
teachers and the community,” Suzanne Godin, superintendent of South Portland
Schools, said in a statement. “However, the scope of this construction project
is significant. While we will do our best to lessen the disruptions,
everyone in our city will be affected. It is a reality facing us as we tackle a
major renovation project of a public building. Our first priority will remain
the well-being of our students and we have developed a comprehensive phasing
plan with their safety and learning environment as the foremost consideration.”
The
construction process will be managed by the superintendent, director of finance
and operations, Harriman Associates, a Clerk of Works, and an Owner’s
Representative. The Owner’s Representative will be hired by the school
department to represent the best interests of the school system during the
construction process.
Bid
documents for the management and construction of the expansion and renovation
of South Portland High School (SPHS) were also released last week. The
completed design and project plans, produced by Harriman Associates of
Portland, were released to four pre-qualified general contractors. J.C.N.
Construction, Eckman Construction, PC Construction and Harvey Construction will
have an opportunity to review the plans and submit a bid or written offer to
complete the work for the project proposal. Bids will be due and submitted
on Thursday, Feb. 23, and opened at 2 p.m. in the high school library. The
school board and City Council will review the submissions and vote for approval
of a selected general contractor on Feb. 27 and March 5, respectively.
In
November 2010, South Portland residents approved a $41.5 million bond to
renovate and expand the high school as well as address safety, health and
security issues. The final project plans approved by the SPHS Building
Committee include resolving all code violation issues and updating the
mechanical and security systems. Portions of the building such as Beal Gym and
the main classroom wing will be renovated while other areas such as the Annex
will be reconstructed. The plans include a new Learning Commons,
cafeteria, and lecture hall.
“We are
very proud of the final project plans being released today,” said Ralph Baxter,
Chairperson of the SPHS Building Committee. “We sought to develop a plan
for a building that would have technology integrated throughout while allowing
for flexibility in the future. We worked to ensure the new building would
be LEED certified and have a high-efficiency natural gas system. Though
its primary purpose will be for the students within, the plans also allow for
multiple uses of the building by the community including a new lecture hall,
moveable partitions in the cafeteria, and separated access to kitchen
services. Most importantly, the new building will be safe and
secure for our students.”
For more
information, visit the South Portland School District website at www.spsd.org.
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