This serves to clarify an editorial published in the November 2017 edition of the Suffield Observer related to the conversion of Bridge Street School to a community recreation center:
• Funds to complete hazardous materials abatement (estimated $162,000 – $390,000) have not been designated outside of approved bond. It is more efficient and cost-effective for abatement to occur immediately preceding actual construction, not independently.
• A total of four construction manager proposals and five architectural firm proposals were received for design phase through construction documents. Cost of actual construction is NOT included within those proposals but is determined AFTER design phase and completion of construction documents. Statement that multiple proposals were under approved amount of $8.4 million received is inaccurate.
• Total cost of project is unknown at this time. Several bidders expressed professional opinion with difficulty completing the project under maximum $8.4 million budget without scope of work changes. Concerns include environmental abatement costs and construction manager fees not included in estimate provided at Town Referendum.
• In order to determine total cost of project, between $345,000 and $500,000 needs to be spent on design and documents alone before Construction Manager provides Guaranteed Maximum Price for actual construction costs.
• Bid summaries for each professional service can be viewed in Public Jobs folder on New England Blue Prints’ website www.nebplans.com.
Any questions about this or other building projects can be addressed to the Department of Public Works at 860-668-3890.