Price For A New Morgan School: $68.5 Million

At the Morgan Building Committee's meeting January 17, Robert Lynn of Gilbane Construction uttered the number everyone was waiting to hear: $68.5 million.

That number represents the total cost of building a new high school building on a on at 71 Killingworth Turnpike (Route 81).

The bulk of the $68,574,017 includes $40 million in construction costs; $3.7 million in the acquisition of the site; $2.5 million in design and engineering fees; $2.8 million in design contingencies; $3.7 million in escalation costs (assuming the project starts in the year 2014); and $1.3 million in furniture, fixtures and equipment, to name a few of the associated costs.

The $68.5 million, added Lynn, is for a 135,000 square foot (gross) building for 600 students not including a 5,550 square foot separate maintenance and garage.

Committee member David Townsend asked that, based on the costs of building new, if the town could prove to the state of Connecticut that building new is a lower cost than renovating like new.

"It's hard to make the case due to site development costs," answered Lynn.

Site development costs are approximately $7.2 million.

Lynn figured the rate of reimbursement from the state at 34 percent for this plan and at this cost.  He said the rate of reimbursement for renovating is 44 percent.

The Gilbane cost study of building a new building translates to about $300 a square foot; renovating to new is approximately $280 a square foot, said Lynn.

Although they did not take a formal query or vote, the committee spoke of continuing their goal of holding an upcoming referendum vote on the project. No date has been set.

Committee Chairman Gerry Vece stated that the Gilbane report does not take into account the value of the current site of the school, or "the land we would be selling," and the advantages of the new location.

One thing to consider, reiterated Vece, is starting the project earlier than later and saving approximately $2 million in escalation costs.

As Lynn explained, if a referendum to fund the project passed this year, the district would file for reimbursement from the state in 2012, (presumably) get approved by the state in 2013, hire the architect and receive final drawings in 2014 and go out to bid at that time, around 2014.

"If you hire the architect now before the state approves it, (the project) would be reimbursed upon completion," said Lynn.

The chance the town takes, although very slim noted Lynn who said he's never witnessed it happening, is that the state does not approve the project. An unapproved project means no reimbursement.

The committee's next meeting with be held January 24, 7pm, town hall.

Look for more on the Morgan Building Committee's meeting, including information on the wastewater treatment plan and costs, in a future article.