Cape school officials OK bids to build 22 classrooms

Work on a $3.3 million project to add classrooms at Cape Girardeau Central High School will begin soon.

The Cape Girardeau School Board voted Thursday to approve bids that will allow for 22 classrooms to be constructed on the high school's south side. The project's cost for general construction, roofing, plumbing and HVAC systems, electrical work and fire protection will be $3,332,812.

According to district superintendent Dr. Jim Welker, work on the addition will begin in the next two to three weeks and be completed in time for students to use when they return to school in the fall of 2012.

The classrooms are part of the $40 million in bond-funded district improvement projects approved by voters in 2010. Initially, the district budgeted 16 classrooms for the addition but said if bids came in low enough that up to 22 could be included. In March, the cost estimated for the project was around $4.3 million.

"We're excited that the bids came in under budget and to get started on the project," Welker said.

According to a letter of recommendation sent to the district by McCarthy Building Cos., the firm hired by the district to oversee construction management, the lowest bidders that met all requirements were selected. Five companies submitted bids for general construction and two companies submitted bids for electrical work. Work on plumbing and HVAC systems, roofing and fire protection were all bid on by three companies.

Brockmiller Construction Inc. of Farmington, Mo., will perform general construction work for $1,576,000. Missouri Builders of Jefferson City, Mo., will install and provide roofing for $151,037. Century Fire Protection of St. Louis will provide and install fire protection for $52,424. Associated Sheet Metal Inc. of Jackson will provide plumbing and HVAC systems and installation for $1,063,000. Total Electric Inc. of Farmington will provide electrical systems and installation for $490,351.

Welker said the district will soon look at the possibility of a ceramics studio as a project to be included in the addition. If it seems that the studio can be afforded, the space of three classrooms will be converted to studio space and the number of regular classrooms would be reduced to 19.

eragan@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

1000 S. Silver Springs Rd., Cape Girardeau, MO

301 N. Clark Ave., Cape Girardeau, MO