Dist. 207 administration building upgrades $161,850 over budget
Maine Township High School District 207's board has approved a renovation project at its new administration center and alternative school that is $161,850 over budget, officials said.
District officials originally budgeted $876,000 to remodel the Technology & Manufacturing Association building at Devon Avenue and Dee Road in Park Ridge, but the low bid for the project was $1,014,000. Add in costs for asbestos abatement, and the project was $254,000 over budget, officials said.
Last week, officials identified a list of items to be removed from the project scope, such as an intercom clock system. The district's architecture consultant, Arcon Associates, took the blame for not telling district officials about the added costs sooner.
The board voted 4-1 Monday to approve a contract with the low bidder, Happ Builders Inc., but at the reduced scope of work. Board member Mary Childers, who voted no, said she was "distressed that we found $100,000 that we could live without because (the architect's) over budget."