Return to Headlines

TRUSTEES APPROVE CONSTRUCTION PRICE FOR GHS TRANSFORMATION, TWO ELEMENTARY GYMS

November 3, 2014
 
Granbury High School  
 
The Granbury ISD Board of Trustees approved a guaranteed maximum price forthe transformation of Granbury High School and for two new gymnasiums at Acton Elementary School and Emma Roberson Elementary School during a special meeting on November 3, 2014.
 
The Buford-Thompson Company presented the overall figure of $49.2 million for the bond construction projects approved by voters in the November 2013 bond election. This represents $2 million less than the previous estimate of $51.2 million.
 
“I am very happy with the numbers that came in, even after all the subcontractors had been scoped to verify their pricing,” commented GISD superintendent Dr. James Largent. “I will also let you know that the new GMP of $49,252,665 has allowances for some things that were not in the original scope of work, and a few alternates that we bid to upgrade a few areas."
 
The amount includes all construction and fees along with subcontracted work for everything from demolition, concrete, and masonry to doors and hardware, drywall and ceilings, electrical work, and painting. The high school project also has allowances for roof repairs and a full upgrade of lighting and sound systems in the auditorium.
 
Largent was also pleased that two local subcontractors will be among companies working on the construction projects. Kickin’ A will provide services for earthwork and utilities, while G&G Electric will provide a number of electrical services.
 
The renovations and additions to the high school campus are part of the $84.9 million bond program approved by voters last fall. Additions will be for career and technical education, fine arts, ninth grade academic classrooms, and office area with a secure entry. The plan also includes building a robust technology infrastructure for model classrooms throughout the school district.
 
The design features a collegiate look with Granbury stone to be used prominently to provide a consistent look throughout the exterior of the building with entry points clearly distinguished for parents and visitors. Inside, a commons area will be the focal point of the interior with the cafeteria, library, and coffee bar similar to a university student center.
 
Academic departments will be grouped, with teachers having a common office area to meet individually with students, for tutoring, and for collaboration with their colleagues. Hallways will be streamlined to provide efficient corridors for student movement and supervision. In addition, CTE programs will be centralized in the back of the building with a separate secure entry as well as classrooms and labs designed specifically for those specialized programs.
 
Construction at the high school will begin in mid-November and last through the summer of 2016. BTC outlined the following phases for the high school work:
  • Phase 1: Ninth Grade Addition (November 2014-August 2015), Southwest Parking Lot (November 2014-February 2015), Northwest Parking Lot (to be used as BTC compound for duration of construction)
  • Phase 2: CTE Addition (December 2014-June 2016), Fine Arts Addition (February 2015-April 2016), Locker Room Addition (April-October 2015)
  • Phase 3: Locker Room Renovations for Field House, James Wann Sports Center, and Pirate Gym (Spring 2015)
  • Phase 4: Library, Old Office Area, Cafeteria (Summer 2015)
  • Phase 5: Classrooms, Grand Hall, Upper Grand Hall, Auditorium (Summer 2016)
The two elementary gyms at AES and Roberson were previously postponed to be rolled into the larger high school project to provide better financing through “economies of scale.” The gym projects will begin in March 2015 and includes demolition of the existing facility on the Roberson campus.
 
In June, trustees approved $3.605 million as the guaranteed maximum price for controlled entry vestibules at all GISD elementary and middle schools. Those projects are near completion with subcontractors finalizing work on “punch list” items. In addition, a small building addition at Oak Woods School is slated for completion in December.
 
BTC is the construction manager at-risk for all GISD bond projects and is working alongside the Huckabee architectural firm.  Additional information about all the bond initiatives is available at www.granburyisd.org/bond.
 
Trustees will next meet for a regular monthly meeting and a workshop on Monday, November 17. Board meetings are held in the GISD Board Room located next to the Administration Building at 600 W. Pearl Street.