Size of new EPHS structure is reduced due to prohibitive cost estimates

Footprint of structure drops some 40,000 square feet to meet budget target

By Mike Rego
Posted 4/11/19

EAST PROVIDENCE — The updated schematic design of the new East Providence High School reduces the overall size of the building due to prohibitive costs, but keeps intact the all-encompassing …

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Size of new EPHS structure is reduced due to prohibitive cost estimates

Footprint of structure drops some 40,000 square feet to meet budget target

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — The updated schematic design of the new East Providence High School reduces the overall size of the building due to prohibitive costs, but keeps intact the all-encompassing educational aspects in its scope.

Sam Bradner, of the Peregrine Group that serves as the district’s project manager, told the School Committee at its April 9 meeting the initial cost estimates of the project’s architects, Ai3, and contractor, Gilbane, were well above the $189.5 million new EPHS bond referendum approved by voters at the polls last November.

Ai3’s design supposition of the four-floor structure came in at $202 million, while Gilbane’s construction appraisal was $199.8 million.

In redrawing plans, the principles involved, including the new East Providence High School Building Committee composed of elected officials and community members, reduced the size of the building accordingly, from the original 347,000 square feet to 304,000. The current estimated per square foot cost has been pegged at $325.

Mr. Bradner said the changes were “not uncommon for this stage of the process.” He added, the district’s team conducted a “thorough distillation of the estimates,” saying it had to differentiate “wishes vs. needs” of the design.” He said the design should be “aspirational,” leading to a “rational” discussion of what can and cannot be included in the end product.

Mr. Bradner admitted it was not an easy exercise, but following repeated review of the items, reevaluating elements as many as three and four times, district representatives were assuaged to reduce $26 million-worth of so-called “value managed options.” He said the district’s representatives met with the current EPHS curriculum department heads to “retest the assumptions” made for size of their respective areas.

Among the reductions were dropping the number of classrooms from 51-45 and the number of science labs from 12 to 10. In addition, what could be viewed as superfluous spaces in storage areas, in the Career and Tech Center culinary retail walk-up counter area, in the CTC automotive location, the auditorium and media center were also altered. Planned athletic aspects were also either changed or could be changed in the future such as reducing lighting and potentially choosing grass over artificial turf for the softball and baseball field. Importantly, the proposed public walking track and the stadium designs will remain as initially planned.

“One of the challenges was downsizing each of the four floors,” Mr. Bradner said. “The whole building needed to be squeezed in a bit tighter on all four sides.”

In total the reductions brought the estimated construction cost of the new EPHS to $157,901,000, just under the budgeted $158,000,000.

“When you look at what was reduced, we felt really good that we really hadn’t taken away from anything,” said At-Large Committeeman Joel Monteiro, who along with City Councilor Nate Cahoon serves as the new EPHD Building Committee co-chair.

Of the science labs specifically, Mr. Monteiro added, “We will still have the ability to deliver well beyond what we do today and still include the forensic (curriculum) piece.”

The proposed design changes must now be submitted to the Rhode Island Department of Education for approval. Mr. Bradner reiterated the goal for the start of construction remains in mid-June just after the 2018-19 term ends. A public groundbreaking ceremony is planned for June 4 or 5. Gilbane is set to be on site to begin demolition and excavation on June 17.

When he next returns in front of the committee, Mr, Bradner said, “Hopefully it will not be as painful” and also be able to more evidently determine “did these reductions ring true?

“We’re going to have to make hard decisions all the way until you open the doors,” Mr. Bradner added. “There’s still a lot of hard work ahead. This is still very early in the process.”

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.