Mountain States Construction: How many projects has the district cancelled or put on hold because of funding?
Rob Webber: We have not cancelled any projects; however, we have three projects that if we had the funding, we would be moving to start.
MSC: How has the current bidding frenzy impacted projects in your district? On average how much are you saving on projects?
RW: We cannot say we have experienced a “bidding frenzy.” On a 2009 CM/GC project, we found the GMP estimate came down by 3.7% over three months from design development to the construction documents phase.
MSC: Are projects being won solely by low bid or do existing relationships with contractors and other factors figure strongly in your project awards?
RW: We have had no recent bids closing. When we were, our smaller projects were awarded based on low bid from a shortlist of prequalified contractors. Our larger projects are typically contracted as CM/GC, where the contractor is selected following a prequalification process and fee.
MSC: What is the status of the district’s current bond issue?
RW: We are completing the last projects funded with our 2004 Bond proceeds. We failed on an $80-million bond election in November 2008.
MSC: Does your district have a need or plan to propose future bond issues in the 2012 election?
RW: Our district has a need for a bond to build at least two elementary schools and put five to six additions on existing buildings. It is unlikely the board would approve an election for a bond until the economy improves, so the most likely timeline is 2013 or 2014.
MSC: What construction plans does the district have for 2011 (projects that will complete or break ground)?
RW: We have no new projects identified and will only do some small remodel projects in 2011.
Aquatic Center
Architect: Barker Rinker Seacat
Contractor: Adolfson & Peterson Construction
Support Services Center
Architect: RNL
Contractor: dcb Construction
Early Childhood Center
Architect: Slaterpaull Architects
Contractor: The Weitz Co.
Crossroads Alternative School Relocation
Architect: Slaterpaull Architects
Contractor: The Weitz Co.
