[Vision2020] THE TIDE IS RISING

[Melynda Huskey]

Interesting as this post might be, its value is somewhat obscured by the total absence of any person to whom it might be connected--other than the articulate, courteous, and well-informed Mr. Roderick, who perhaps unites his saloonkeeping and public affairs analysis with a third career in school architecture and construction unbeknownst to me.   

But that's the high quality of reportage which has characterized Mr. Roderick's recent contributions to our discussions.  All over town, levy supporters are saying of him, and of his boon companions Donovan Arnold and Dale Courtney, with enemies like these, who needs friends?

Melynda Huskey

Note to Daily News:  Don't stop the presses just yet.  
   

----- Original Message -----
From: cjs
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2005 10:46 PM
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Cc: smcclure at dnews.com
Subject: [Vision2020] THE TIDE IS RISING

>I've been involved in a variety of construction projects
> both in this area and elsewhere as an ICC certified special inspector.
> School construction typically is different than other commercial > development
> and the expenses frequently are higher.  For example, schools are used > as
> emergency shelters and are usually designated as "essential" bringing
> additional code-related costs in construction.


> The numbers look surprisingly low.  I noticed that Hummel used a figure > of
> about $87 per square foot for construction costs.  I think that this is
> unrealistic, especially in light of the soaring material costs that have
> plagued the construction industry (steel has doubled in the last two > years
> and concrete suppliers faced shortages of cement last year driving a > price
> increase.)  A more reasonable number would be somewhere in the > neighborhood
> of $100-$110 per square foot.  Construction cost of the gym is > significantly
> lower than that of the Hamilton Indoor Recreation Center.  Without plans > and
> specifications, essentially were buying a pig in a poke.  Schools are
> typically of a masonry construction, which can be very expensive.  I > think
> that Hamilton Rec was a wood-framed building utilizing structural steel
> connections.  (Been a while since I looked at those plans.)


> On site development, an average cost is approximately $10-&13.  Hummel > has
> these estimated at $8.70 per square foot. These numbers can change very
> dramatically depending on soil conditions and weather.  The native loess
> that we have in this region can become unworkable quickly if it is wet.
> Since construction is proposed in a wetlands area, I wouldnt be > surprised
> if a significant amount of removal and replacement with a more suitable
> construction material is necessary, which can be an expensive > proposition.


> I suspect the inspection costs are also under-reported though without > plans
> and specifications I can't be positive.  Even in an area like Moscow, > where
> we rely on uncertified individuals for special inspection, these costs
> typically run about .5% of the cost of construction and the .15% quoted
> seems very small.   


> I think the contingency fund is completely inadequate.  With a > multi-year
> project, the potential for costly delays and material cost increases is
> pretty high.  I would be much more comfortable with a 10% reserve.


> Either the Geotech fee is too high or the site surveying is under-bid.  > That
> those costs are almost even (with the Geotech more expensive) is a > little
> surprising.


> Interestingly, the Lapwai High/Middle School project has gone out to > re-bid
> because the proposals were significantly divergent from the cost > estimates
> developed by Beniton Construction.  I could see this happening to the > new HS
> and either a reduction of the proposed school or a secondary levy which
> would include the facilities not yet in the proposal (i.e. the > auditorium.)


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