THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 11, 1994 TAG: 9409090310
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
I would like to take this opportunity to clarify information regarding the cost of Larkspur Middle School that was reported in Elizabeth Thiel's article, ``Ready to open'' (Beacon, Aug. 28). While the article was generally very positive relative to the design of the building and the enthusiasm of the incoming staff, her figures pertaining to the cost were misleading.
Ms. Thiel wrote: ``Larkspur was supposed to cost $16.5 million. The price tag has topped $20 million.'' This is incorrect.
The Larkspur Middle School project originally appeared in the 1991/92 Capital Improvement Program with a total project cost of $20,990,000, of which $17,600,000 was for construction. The project budget was reduced by city staff the following year, to a total of $19,863,600 with $16,473,600 budgeted for construction. The reduction in budget was made prior to bid and based on a favorable bidding climate the region was experiencing in the 1990-91 time frame.
The construction contract to date is $16,629,377 and the total project expense will be approximately $20,200,000. As you can see, both of these figures are well below what was originally budgeted for this project, and the construction cost equates to $67 per square foot, which is less than the statewide average of $69.92 per square foot. The increasing use of technology and computers will push the total cost of the project to $20,200,000, which is slightly more than the revised budget of $19,863,600; but as mentioned previously, still less than the original project budget of $20,990,000.
I appreciate Ms. Thiel's efforts in reporting the opening of what is the most exciting and instructionally sound middle school in the state. However, we need to make sure the taxpaying public is given accurate information relative to cost.
Anthony L. Arnold, P.E.
Director,
Facilities Planning & Construction
Virginia Beach Public Schools by CNB