Tuesday, January 11, 2000
Fort Thomas delays bids on middle school for week
BY RAY SCHAEFER
Enquirer contributor
FORT THOMAS — The engineering firm overseeing construction of the new Highlands Middle School did not receive permission Monday to seek bids for the project.
Instead, the Fort Thomas Independent school board gave BBL Maescher of Covington permission to dig a test hole near Highlands High School so temporary shoring can be installed there whenever construction starts.
The board postponed the decision on seeking bids for the $13.2 million structure until a special meeting at 7:30 p.m. next Monday at the Fort Thomas city building.
Board member Kenneth Honchell was ready to vote Monday.
“Any more delay is going to cost us more money,” Mr. Honchell said.
Board member Brad Fennell, meanwhile, wanted the extra time.
“I don't want to be pressured into a decision,” he said.
Last month, the board found out construction costs had risen from the original estimate of about $11.5 million to just over $13.2 million. BBL Maescher and the Fort Thomas architectural firm Steed Hammond Paul at the time said cheaper materials could be used and the amount of courtyard and commons space could be decreased.
Monday, Bob Compton of BBL Maescher said his company had trimmed all but just under $115,000 of the $1.7 million increase.
“We're within about 1 percent of our target,” Mr. Compton said. “I think the (construction bidding market) is as favorable as it's going to get.”
According to Mr. Compton, the savings include:
• About $355,000 if brick and man-made cast stone are used instead of limestone on the exterior walls.
• About $97,000 on cabinets and counter tops.
• Nearly $65,000 for simpler door frames.
Mr. Compton said further cost cuts could affect building design.
The board had hoped to begin advertising bids by Jan. 5.
The 120,000-square-foot school was to be completed by August 2001 on the site of a parking lot next to Highlands High School and district offices. It will include a three-story academic wing, gymnasium, cafeteria, music and arts rooms and parking garage.
A smaller parking lot is under construction across the street from the high school, and district offices would move to a former bank building at the corner of Miller Lane and North Fort Thomas Avenue.
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