Public Report on Construction Projects: First construction bids accepted for referendum projects
March 29, 2016
The Moorhead School Board accepted the first $2.23 million in construction bids for the secure entrances and office remodeling projects at the three elementary schools. Bids approved at the March 28 board meeting came in at 4.5% below estimated costs, said Brandon Lunak, assistant superintendent of finance and operations.
Work on the secure entrances and office areas is scheduled to start after school ends and be done this summer. Additional remodeling work at the three elementary schools will be done during the summer of 2017.
Earlier in March, Tim Zerr and Leah Fagerland from Zerr Berg Architects and Steve Gehrtz with Gehrtz Construction Services shared progress on plans for the grades 5-6 school connected to Horizon Middle School and the new K-4 elementary school.
Zerr told the board at its March 14 meeting that drawings for bid group 1 would be available March 15. Bids are being accepted until April 7 for the first bid package for the grades 5-6 school. This includes footings, foundation and site work scheduled to begin this spring.
Gehrtz reminded the board that safety of students and staff is a priority so fences and gates will be installed around the site. The track and green space inside the track on the south side of Horizon will remain accessible.
The goal is to complete the foundation work so construction can continue through the winter. Completing the academic wings by fall of 2017 will be the priority, Gehrtz said, with the auditorium to be completed at the end of the project, possibly into the 2017-18 school year.
Fagerland provided an update on the K-4 elementary school site plans, describing the walking path, playgrounds and green space on the site. Building plans remain similar to those shared earlier with the board with a change made to the active learning space in the kindergarten wing. Bid documents are scheduled to be completed this week with the bid opening on the first phase, which includes footings, foundations and site work, set for April 19.
The district’s construction team has been meeting regularly with the City of Moorhead related to utilities, storm sewer work and construction of 24th Avenue and part of 45th Street where the new elementary school will be located.
Categorized under: School