[Vision2020] THE TIDE IS RISING

[cjs]

Melynda - it is childish to call people names.


-----Original message-----
From: "Melynda Huskey" mghuskey at msn.com
Date: Sat, 16 Apr 2005 00:33:37 -0700
To: "Vision 2020" vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] THE TIDE IS RISING

> 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 unite> s his saloonkeeping and public affairs analysis with a third career in sc> hool architecture and construction unbeknownst to me.   
> 
> But that's the high quality of reportage which has characterized Mr. Rode> rick's recent contributions to our discussions.  All over town, levy supp> orters are saying of him, and of his boon companions Donovan Arnold and D> ale 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 > deve> lopment
> > 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 hav> e
> > 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 > neighb> orhood
> > of $100-$110 per square foot.  Construction cost of the gym is > signif> icantly
> > lower than that of the Hamilton Indoor Recreation Center.  Without plan> s > and
> > specifications, essentially were buying a pig in a poke.  Schools ar> e
> > 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 loes> s
> > 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 > su> rprised
> > if a significant amount of removal and replacement with a more suitable
> > construction material is necessary, which can be an expensive > proposi> tion.
> 
> 
> > 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 > li> ttle
> > surprising.
> 
> 
> > Interestingly, the Lapwai High/Middle School project has gone out to > > re-bid
> > because the proposals were significantly divergent from the cost > esti> mates
> > 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 > audito> rium.)
> 
> 
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