By Gloria Lloyd
News Editor
glorialloyd@callnewspapers.com
The Lindbergh Board of Education voted on two important Prop R action items last week, setting in motion the first steps toward building a new $89 million Lindbergh High School that the district says will be more secure.
Board approves first construction bids
The board unanimously voted Feb. 11 to approve the first phase of the new Lindbergh High School construction project, which includes construction of a central utility building, demolition of the math building and high-school main office, part of Gym 2 and installation of utilities, a pool update, additional exterior site improvements and asbestos abatement.
Total cost for this first phase of construction will be $2,795,233. Bids will be split into three phases.
Six vendors bid on the earthwork, phase 1 demolition and
utility package. The best qualified complete bid was submitted by Wachter Inc. for $2,704,500. That was also the lowest bid. The next-lowest bid was from ICS Construction for $2.88 million plus a $40,000 voluntary alternate. The highest bid came from HOF Construction for $3.5 million.
In a separate bid, six companies submitted proposals for the asbestos abatement work. The best qualified complete bid for that project was submitted by Talbert for $90,733, also the lowest bid. The next-lowest bid came from Brock Industrial Services for $119,050. The highest bid came from Thornburgh Abatement for $186,290.
LHS construction will take place in three phases, with phase 1 beginning in spring and summer of 2020.
District officials, including Prop R construction manager Tom Parker and Facilities Director Willoughby Williams, are eager to get started on the project, Chief Financial Officer Joël Cracchiolo noted.
“I’ll text Tom and Willoughby now and tell them to get to work early tomorrow,” Cracchiolo said after the vote.
The bid package for phase 2 will be approved in March, with construction beginning in summer 2020. Phase 2 will include construction of a new 3-story structure that will connect existing buildings on the high school campus, in addition to renovation and remodeling work in existing buildings. This work is scheduled for completion in January 2023.
Phase 3 is scheduled to begin in January 2023 and will include demolition of the current auditorium and 300s/400s building, and resurfacing and reconfiguration of on-campus parking areas.
Board sells remaining bonds
The board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing and directing the sale of $65 million in general-obligation bonds for Prop R construction.
The Feb. 11 authorization is the second portion of the $105 million Prop R no-tax-rate-increase general obligation bond issue, which was passed by the Lindbergh community in April. The first sale occurred In June, with the issue of $40 million.
The actual competitive sale of the bonds will occur Thursday, Feb. 20. This will complete the sale of Prop R bonds. Moody’s Investor Services rated Lindbergh’s credit at Aa1, which is a high-grade rating for government bonds. The current interest rate market for government bonds is favorable to Lindbergh Schools with a high demand for the tax exempt investments, the district said.
About Prop R: In April, Lindbergh voters overwhelmingly approved Prop R, a $105 million no-tax-rate-increase bond issue.
