Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 1, 1995 TAG: 9506010085
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KIMBERLY N. MARTIN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Although the bids on the multimillion-dollar renovation were higher than originally planned, they came in lower than more recent estimates predicted.
When initial plans were drawn up for the Carver renovations, architects said the project would cost about $5.5 million - about the same as it would cost to scrap the old structure and start anew.
Pressures from community organizations to preserve the 55-year-old building - which before desegregation educated blacks from elementary through high school - and the lack of another site kept the board from pursuing the latter plan.
Over time, the cost grew, mainly for additional classroom space, architect F.A. "Doc" Shane said.
"We figured anything around $6.2 million, and we would be happy," said Assistant Superintendent Michael Bryant.
Avis Construction Co. won the contract with a $6.1 million bid. Last winter, Avis worked on Salem's other major construction project - the new baseball stadium.
The $6.1 million does not account for all of the project's costs.
"There are other expenses in this construction project that could really bring this cost up," said School Board member Walter Franke.
Furniture and other equipment for the completed building were not included in Wednesday's bid.
It doesn't account for the $211,000 the schools have spent for the trailers adjacent to the building, either. The trailers, which already are on the site, will be used as temporary classrooms during the two-year construction.
"In some cases, [the trailers] will be better than what they're used to. They are larger and air-conditioned," said Superintendent Wayne Tripp.
The board also approved G&H Contracting Inc.'s $22,400 bid to build walkways connecting the trailers.
Architectural and engineering fees are owed to Kinsey Shane & Associates, too.
Superintendent Wayne Tripp said he would tally the expenses at the School Board's June meeting.
"As Martin Luther King Jr. said, we have to keep our eyes on the prize. We're going to have a wonderful facility here," Tripp said.
Next Thursday, the schools will get one step closer to that dream.
As soon as the last students are ushered out of Carver next Thursday, furniture and a 16-square-foot patch of asbestos will follow. Additional asbestos was removed from some hallway and classroom ceilings in April.
Demolition of about one-third of the building comes next.
Carver isn't the only school in Salem slated for a summer face lift.
"We have a project going at each of our schools," Bryant said.
Andrew Lewis Middle School is getting a new technology lab; Salem High School will get air-conditioning chillers; East and West Salem elementary schools will get new windows and air conditioning; and South Salem Elementary will get a freezer.
by CNB