The construction of Hopkinsville-Christian County Academy appears much closer than it did one year ago, following the release of new information surrounding its bid process and a relationship with Alliance Corporation.
During Tuesday morning’s Christian County Public Schools Board of Education retreat at the Pennyrile Forest State Park, officials confirmed bids for the major consolidation were opened last Monday, July 24, and were favorably returned.
Over the past week, several bid packets were under review of CCPS and Alliance leadership, and are now public after notifying the board in full.
In a combination of 29 work orders, CCPS Superintendent Chris Bentzel said the best estimates range the project between $109 and $112 million. Add on the soft costs — which includes general contracting and architecture fees, $6 million in required contingency, furniture and other academic incidentals — and the district is looking at a $134-to-$135 million keys-in-hand, ready-to-open price tag.
Board attorney Jack Lackey Jr. discussed how contingency works.
Contingency, Lackey added, also is a “use it, or lose it” scenario, so it’s likely going to be invested.
If these bids are accepted, construction at the corner of Fort Campbell Boulevard and Lovers Lane could take up to three years, meaning the new facility would welcome students in September 2026. Bentzel said the goal is to have athletics, and a full campus, available at the same time.
Several work orders had at least two bidders, meaning CCPS opened no less than 60 offers on different assignments.
This price tag does include the construction of a new high school gymnasium with an auxiliary, as well as a large skylight for the school’s cafeteria — a place Bentzel said should be the “heartbeat” of the campus.
A “Hall of Champions,” Bentzel said, is also being reinserted into the plan, and the gymnasium will seat 3,200 with seatbacks likely in the lower partition, as well as a college-length floor.
Capacity for the school should still run between 2,500 and 2,900 students. The Performing Arts Center and outdoor athletics facilities will come in later phases, and with no new prior or future taxes, Bentzel once again notes the district has $45 million in cash accumulated over the last 2 ½ years — including $10 million in a LAVEC grant, ESSER funds, and $3 million from Frankfort.
This, alongside $85 million in bonding potential, brings $130 million directly to the table.
Lackey and Bentzel both iterated that Alliance Corporation officials are meeting with bidding agencies through August 11.
A tentative schedule has also been announced: general trades bids are expected August 11, a special-called board meeting is planned for August 15, a release of bond-rating packets and post-preliminary statements should come August 16, a regularly-scheduled board meeting is on the calendar for August 17, a bond sale could come August 24, a final official statement may be distributed August 28, and a soft ground-breaking ceremony has a chance to come September 1.
An invitation for bids on the new consolidated high school in Hopkinsville was published in the Saturday, June 24, edition of the Kentucky New Era read as follows:
Bids will be received at the Preforming Art Center…where the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. All bids must be received on or before July 18, 2023 (CDT), 2:00 pm (local time).
It also called for the following bid packages: site excavation/storm drainage, hot mix asphalt paving, landscaping, general trades, concrete, masonry, structural steel and miscellaneous steel, roof system and wall panels, steel doors, frames, flush wood doors and finish hardware, aluminum framed entrances and storefronts, glazed aluminum curtain walls, gypsum board assemblies, tiling, acoustical panel ceilings, resilient tile flooring and carpet, wood flooring, resinous flooring, painting and joint sealants, miscellaneous specialties, metal lockers, food service equipment, gymnasium equipment, manufactured plastic laminate casework and architectural casework, science casework, telescoping stands, hydraulic elevator, fire protection, plumbing, HVAC and electrical.
BID DOCUMENTS: Alliance-Corporation
Bid Posting: 70182-2023-06-24_1001
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