Town council receives updates on $172M school construction project and financing options
October 21, 2024 | East Greenwich, Kent County, Rhode Island
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The East Greenwich Town Council convened on October 21, 2024, to discuss the ongoing school construction project, currently in stage 3 of a four-step process. The meeting aimed to provide updates on the project's status, financing options, and community engagement.
The council began with a review of the project's progress, highlighting that the district had completed a comprehensive facility assessment in stage 1 and submitted a preliminary architectural and engineering proposal in stage 2. The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) accepted this plan, allowing the district to engage Left Field as the owner's project manager and Consigli Construction as the construction manager.
Town Manager Andrew Nada emphasized the importance of advancing discussions on the project, noting that the council had previously decided to accelerate the timeline for updates. He acknowledged the community's support for a $150 million bond, which reflects the need for significant investment in aging school facilities.
Key discussions included the revised scope of work and the financial implications of the project. Nada indicated that the project scope had not changed significantly, but adjustments were necessary to align with budgetary constraints. He stressed the need for compromise on both cost and scope to ensure the project meets community expectations.
Kate Turner, senior project manager from Left Field, provided an update on the project's financial estimates, revealing that initial projections had risen to approximately $180 million. However, after discussions and adjustments, the current estimate ranges between $169 million and $172 million. The council plans to meet with the School Construction Committee on November 7 to finalize decisions regarding the scope of work, including whether to pursue renovations or new construction at Hannaford School.
The council is working towards submitting a stage 3 application to RIDE by December, with several community presentations and approval processes planned in the interim. The meeting concluded with a commitment to keep the community informed and engaged as the project progresses.
The council began with a review of the project's progress, highlighting that the district had completed a comprehensive facility assessment in stage 1 and submitted a preliminary architectural and engineering proposal in stage 2. The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) accepted this plan, allowing the district to engage Left Field as the owner's project manager and Consigli Construction as the construction manager.
Town Manager Andrew Nada emphasized the importance of advancing discussions on the project, noting that the council had previously decided to accelerate the timeline for updates. He acknowledged the community's support for a $150 million bond, which reflects the need for significant investment in aging school facilities.
Key discussions included the revised scope of work and the financial implications of the project. Nada indicated that the project scope had not changed significantly, but adjustments were necessary to align with budgetary constraints. He stressed the need for compromise on both cost and scope to ensure the project meets community expectations.
Kate Turner, senior project manager from Left Field, provided an update on the project's financial estimates, revealing that initial projections had risen to approximately $180 million. However, after discussions and adjustments, the current estimate ranges between $169 million and $172 million. The council plans to meet with the School Construction Committee on November 7 to finalize decisions regarding the scope of work, including whether to pursue renovations or new construction at Hannaford School.
The council is working towards submitting a stage 3 application to RIDE by December, with several community presentations and approval processes planned in the interim. The meeting concluded with a commitment to keep the community informed and engaged as the project progresses.
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