nothin New Haven Independent | Walsh School & Community House/Senior Center…

Walsh School & Community House/Senior Center Updates

Sally E. Bahner Photo

The Public Building Commission (pictured) heard a Walsh update and discussed a list of value engineering (cost cutting) items for the $12.1 million Community House/Senior Center project at its meeting Monday at Fire Headquarters.

Scott Pellman of Colliers International, owner’s representative, said they were working toward the abatement of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenals) at Walsh, which were found to be slightly elevated in the pool and gym areas and a possible hazard to children 12 and under. Langan Engineering is handling the abatement and retesting will be done afterwards, conforming to state and federal regulations. The cost is expected to be $18,300, which is already in the budget.

Schools Superintendent Hamlet Hernandez said that the abatement needs to be completed soon. We’ve done all right… but it can’t continue.” Meanwhile the areas are closed; the swim team is using the pool at the YMCA and other activities can be held outdoors for now. The pool is also used by the community.

Pellman said they were looking to accelerate the process.

In another matter, Pellman said that moving forward a third party (building design) code review is now a state requirement on projects over $10,000. So due to the size of the Walsh project, which involves 300 to 400 pages of documents, the code review will be put out to bid. Bids are due Sept. 22 and preferences from local officials will be considered. Pellman said the goal is to get the code review to the state by Dec. 5 and they are on schedule and on track” for that.

At a technology and security meeting, Pellman said they were getting a handle on final costs for video, technology, and coordination of electricals.

Regarding the $33 million in bonding for Walsh anticipated from the state, Hernandez said he’s been in communication with the state delegation (State Reps. Lonnie Reed and Sean Scanlon and State Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr.), encouraging them to use their influence to assure funding. He said he’s relatively optimistic” that the funding will go through despite the possible cut in the state funding cap from approximately $800 million to $400 million. Click here to read the story.

Adjusting Community House/Senior Center Costs

Tom Arcari of QuisenberryArcari Architects presented a list of value engineering (an analysis of the function of various items related to their cost – cost saving) items based on suggestions from the previous building commission meeting and discussions with the low bidder, A. Secondino & Sons of Branford.

Secondino’s bid came in at $10.4 million. Cost of the Community House/Senior Center is budgeted at $9.5 million for hard costs,” i.e. brick and mortar and materials, plus $2.5 million for soft costs,” such as architectural and legal fees, advertising, and furnishings.

The items were broken down by category: site, architectural, mechanical/engineering/plumbing, and technology. The total amount needed to align with the town-approved cost of the project and Secondino’s bid is approximately $594,000. Target reductions are in the range of $618,000, which would leave $500,000 in the contingency fund.

In general, the value engineering items included: changes to specifications regarding plantings; the elimination of wooden guide rails in two areas and a change from concrete to asphalt curbing; adjustment in the thickness of the pavement from 2 ½ to 3 inches; a change in various architectural element from those that are more decorative to one that are more basic. In some cases a switch from one brand to another resulted in cost savings while maintaining industry standards and without sacrificing quality.

Arcari said that the renovations to the lower level and materials chosen are being made with an eye toward flood resistance since the building is located in a flood zone.

Arcari said that a high-value item on the list –– an emergency generator, conduit and wiring that would require battery backup lighting totaling $66,000 –– will be donated by A. Secondino as a gift to the community.

After expressing some concerns with the wood railing and asphalt level in the parking lot, the commission approved the value engineering list. Arcari said that once the schedule of values is in place, the contract will be draw up for an expected Oct. 1 start date. The commission will forward their recommendations to the Board of Selectman, which has the final say.

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