OVERVIEW
The Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School (SRVTHS) project consisted of selective renovation throughout the existing school, a new gymnasium and locker room addition, and a much-needed facelift to school grounds. Specific renovation scope included a new kitchen, cafeteria, science rooms, bathrooms, shop spaces (Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Carpentry, Metal Fabrication and Machining), media center, cosmetology, nurses’ station, as well as general classroom upgrades. The entire existing school was outfitted with a new air conditioning system, new unit ventilators, new fire alarm system and sprinkler protection throughout. All construction work was completed in several phases in order to maintain full operation of all normal school activities.
HIGHLIGHTS
Renovation in conjunction with new addition
Full preconstruction services with extensive collaboration
Early construction packages for demolition and abatement
Occupied facility with critical work performed during summer
Highly confined worksite with limited laydown area
Major structural steel retrofit work that required significant shoring and structural expertise
Facility had to be upgraded for life safety and code compliance
MBE/WBE targets achieved
Sustainable design elements (MA-CHPS)
MSBA financed project
Location: South Easton, MA
Completion: 2013
Contract Value: $27.6 million
Size: 280,000 SF
Type: Addition / Renovation
Owner: SRVTHS
Designer: Drummey Rosane Anderson Inc., Waltham, MA
Delivery Method: CM-at-Risk (M.G.L. Chapter 149A)
CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS
Limited Budget – Large scope requirement on a limited budget of $98.50 per GSF. Faced with this challenge, W.T. Rich spearheaded an extensive value engineering effort and conducted aggressive scoping and buyout on behalf of the owner, ultimately achieving $3 million in cost savings and establishing a GMP that met the owner’s budgetary requirements
Heavily Phased – The SRVTHS was occupied throughout construction. W.T. Rich Company committed itself to performing work with the least possible disruption or inconvenience to the school, its staff, the students and the learning environment. Through thoughtful and proactive planning and coordination with the school and our subcontractors, W.T. Rich managed the project efficiently, safely, and with virtually no adverse impact on the school or its operations
Streamlined Schedule – The original schedule presented in the RFP consisted of a completion date of September 2014. W.T. Rich proposed and implemented an alternate schedule that included early construction of the new addition and better management of swing spaces, resulting in a revised deadline of December 2013. W. T. Rich completed the project ahead of this more aggressive timeline
RESULTS
In the face of budgetary and phasing issues, W.T. Rich was able to work in partnership with the broader project team to complete the project with outstanding results. All phases were completed on time and the project was delivered on budget.
“The team that has been assigned to our project has been extremely professional throughout the project. Our expectations were set very high, in which W. T. Rich has met and very often exceeded. Their field and office managers have been excellent communicators, and they offer a first-class staff that constructs a beautiful product. We would recommend W. T. Rich and their staff as conscientious, attentive and professional.”
Luis Lopes, Superintendent
Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School
SRVTHS Addition & Renovation Project
“The team that has been assigned to our project has been extremely professional throughout the project. Our expectations were set very high, in which W. T. Rich has met and very often exceeded. Their field and office managers have been excellent communicators, and they offer a first-class staff that constructs a beautiful product. We would recommend W. T. Rich and their staff as conscientious, attentive and professional.”
Luis Lopes, Superintendent
Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School
SRVTHS Addition & Renovation Project
“WT Rich Company performed an exemplary job completing this extremely complicated $26.5 million, phased renovation and addition. The project was completed ahead of schedule and on budget due to their efforts. The personnel from WT Rich have a straightforward, easy to work with approach that garners trust from their subcontractors. Their commitment and attention to detail were exceptional. Despite encountering numerous challenges due to hidden conditions, WT Rich consistently overcame these challenges by working collaboratively with the project team to develop and implement effective solutions to any issues that arose. WT Rich has earned our highest recommendation and we look forward to working with them again in the future.”
Paul Kalous, Project Director
Hill International, OPM
SRVTHS Addition & Renovation Project