Architect reveals plan for new Shiner school
Friday, August 12, 2005
Barry Halvorson, Victoria Advocate Reporter

VictoriaAdvocate.com Article   |   Shiner School Construction News   |   Construction Watch Home Page

SHINER - Residents and board members of the Shiner public schools have a better idea of what their future home will look like after architect Jim Singleton unveiled the schematic design for the proposed new all-grades campus.

The district's trustees earlier this year approved a lease-purchase agreement to build a new Pre-K through 12 campus at a site adjacent to the district's football stadium on the west side of the city. The project has an approximate $7 million budget.

The schematic design presented at Wednesday's meeting includes a more detailed floor plan of the proposed campus, which will serve grades Pre-K through 12. The design, which includes room dimensions, is based on the master program and master plan presented to the board earlier in the summer. Singleton said the next step in the process is design development, which he hopes to present at the board's Sept. 14 meeting.

"Tonight, this is where we are," Singleton said with a gesture to the drawing. "We've fine-tuned what we had already presented with more detail and dimensions. We've also had a chance to visit with several people, including the principals, athletic department and food services. The process from this point will be to continue fine-tuning and fine-tuning until the designs are complete."

Singleton reminded those at the meeting that the main classroom building will consist of two floors with the lower floor for elementary grades and second floor for middle school and high school general instruction in such areas as math and English. He said the proposed gym will seat 500 and will be separated from the school commons area by a glass wall made up of the same Plexiglas used in handball courts. The commons area will serve as a cafeteria as well as a concessions area for athletics and for audiences attending meetings and school theatrical and musical performances. One wall of the commons will include a stage that will be shared with the theater arts room but can be separated by an accordion wall.

Singleton expressed confidence that the project can be built within budget at an estimated cost of $88 per square foot. He added that the plan includes 76,000 square feet of "conditioned" space, referring to those areas that will be enclosed with climate control.

In an effort to reduce the costs, Singleton said he and others are looking at what items from the existing schools can be used in the new building. That list now includes some of the kitchen appliances and resin tabletops from the science labs.

In an update on the selection process for a general contractor for the project, consultant Ken Leach said nine companies expressed an interest and six of those attended a general meeting on July 28. Of those six, he said five submitted proposals by the Aug. 4 deadline. Based on scoring criteria, two companies are ahead in the process but Leach declined to identify them.

Each was required to submit in writing how they planned to incorporate Lavaca and surrounding county subcontractors in the project. Other criteria being scored include safety records and how much business the company currently has.

"We need to see where Shiner would fit into their plan," he said. "We want a company that will assign someone specifically to the project, preferably someone that will be available onsite. We are also stressing the value of the contract over just the dollar figure. A lot of people around the state are watching this project because building an entire Pre-K through 12 project is rare."

The board also approved a contract with Billy Settles of Associated Engineers and Surveyors to serve as civil engineer for the project. Singleton said it is important to have that person in place to coordinate with the contractor on site preparation and with the city on utility lines.

"The city has its own civil engineer," he said. "They will bring the lines to the property. The civil engineer then designs the lines to bring it within 5 feet of the building and then the architect brings them into the building."

The board also asked about incorporating office space for the superintendent in the building. Singleton said that has never been part of the scope of the project and isn't provided for in the plans. Superintendent Trey Lawrence said that he would be content to have his office remain at its current location or to move one of the district's newer portables to the new school campus once it is complete.

The board rejected the idea of a portable building at the new campus.

Trustee Michael Huser asked if it would be possible to added superintendent office space to the existing schematics. The board instructed Lawrence to contact Singleton about the concept if it could be done at no additional design cost. They also want to know how much it would add to the project's cost.

Barry Halvorson is a reporter for The Victoria Advocate.
Contact him at 361-798-3888, or by e-mail at hvilladv@vicad.com.

Shiner School Construction News   |   Construction Watch Home Page Return to Shiner Home Page


http://www.shinertx.com/newschool/va050812.htm

This Website brought to you by:

BaerCom
1019 N. Avenue C  •  Shiner, Texas 77984
Phone: (361) 594-4176  •  E-Mail: web@shinertx.com

©  Copyright BaerCom - Shiner, Texas  2006