Dist. 15 weighs hiring construction manager
Palatine Township Elementary District 15 has an estimated $20 million worth of high-priority work to do on its buildings by the summer of 2017 to meet safety requirements. Board members, in a special meeting Thursday, considered the benefits of hiring a construction management firm to oversee the projects from start to finish.
"The construction manager would represent our interest at a fixed cost," Superintendent Scott Thompson said.
While District 15 has historically used general contractors to oversee construction projects, board member Gerald Chapman says this project is bigger than anything the district has seen recently.
"For something as complicated as this, I've never known of a district that goes with a general contractor," Chief School Business Official Michael Adamczyk said.
The project comes out of a safety study conducted every 10 years by architects and engineers.
Architects presented the board with the study's findings in December, citing a list of high-priority projects to be completed first, and subsequent projects the district must complete in five years.
Projects include electrical, plumbing, roofing and parking lot projects throughout the district.
Thompson estimates the five years of work will cost the district $115 million.
Board members heard from the two firms, Gilbane Building Co. and IHC Construction, in the running to manage the projects.
"We have good contractors that like to follow us and bid on our projects," IHC Building Division Manager Tim Bickert said.
The fee IHC would charge the school district for running the project would float, IHC Director of Business Development James McDonough said, depending on the bids the company receives.
But Gilbane Vice President Douglas Lim said his firm would set its fee between 2 percent and 3 percent of the project's total cost and lock it in before starting the project.
Lim also says Gilbane would provide the district with weekly status updates on the project.
"We will provide you with detailed information on the financial side so you know where the money is being spent," Lim said. "That way there is no hidden agenda."
Board member Jessica Morrison says this would be important for a district whose residents value transparency.
Board members remain undecided on whether the district will use money it has in reserves, issue bonds or do a combination of both to pay for the projects.
The board is expected to decide on a construction management firm Aug. 12, and it will hold a special meeting Aug. 24 to further discuss funding options.