July 2, 2012

Construction manager presents $13.45M in bids for new MHS

By Chuck Clement, Staff Reporter, Madison Daily Leader

With the majority of the contractors' bids submitted and reviewed, the first construction estimate for the Madison High School renovation project comes to $13.45 million.

Mike Bates of Henry Carlson Company, the contractors serving as the project's construction manager, presented the Madison School Board on Monday night a list of accepted bids for the renovation and construction work. The $13.45-million amount is considered the project's "guaranteed maximum price."

However, the true construction costs may increase before the project is completed. Especially if some alternate work is included, such as additional bleachers or an increased number of basketball hoops in the gym.

According to Bates, the renovation work will start this month among the ceilings above the high school building's corridors, because those areas serve as the pathways for some of the school's utilities, such as electrical wiring and ventilation ducts.

Workers will tear out all of the building's ceiling tiles this summer after re-supporting the
building's fluorescent lights with new wires hung from the roof area. Contractors will install new ceiling tiles as the surrounding work is completed.

The school board members gave their approval to the bid package and accepted the proposed construction schedule. The board members also agreed to hold a ground-breaking ceremony for the construction project at 6:30 p.m. on July 9.

©Madison Daily Leader 2012