Bids for Plum's O'Block Elementary addition, renovations come in $2M under projection

The Plum School Board is moving forward on a set for bids that are about $2 million under initial projections for multimillion dollar renovations at O’Block Elementary.

Earlier estimates showed the “hard costs” of the large-scale project sitting at $21.6 million, but that number ended up closer to $19.6 million.

That’s because the board sought bids earlier in the season as contractors search for work next summer, School Director Mark Stopkaj said.

In total, Plum Superintendent Rick Walsh said, the district received more than two dozen bids.

The $2 million saved in the hard-cost bids will be reallocated to projects at Plum Middle School, he said.

“The building will be functional, safe, warm and dry, and I believe it should be celebrated,” Walsh said.

The soft costs of the project — such as permitting and construction fees — are estimated to set the district back about $5.4 million.

That means the new total projection is closer to $25 million, down from an initial $28 million.

O’Block will likely see a reorganized floor plan. There are expected to be new classroom wings, new special education classrooms, dedicated sensory spaces, dedicated space for music and band, and updated interior finishes throughout the building, among other improvements.

On the outside, O’Block will get a new front entrance canopy, a new roof, a new ADA-compliant playground and play area, a parent drop-off loop and several other updates.

That’s all in addition to improvements in the guts of the building, such as a new fire protection and alarm system, and updated HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems.

Among the new bids, $12.5 million would go toward general construction costs, $3.3 million would take care of HVAC work, $2.3 million would be earmarked for electrical upgrades, another $1.2 million would go toward plumbing and fire prevention work and about $300,000 would cover food service construction.

The addition is part of a $30 million, multiyear building project in the district, which also includes ongoing renovations to Plum Middle School.

The school board is expected to vote to accept the bids at its meeting Tuesday, Oct. 21.