Contractors network on construction project for Waltrip HS

Satterfield & Pontikes Construction met with about 30 subcontractors interested in bidding for construction work for the Waltrip High School building renovation during a networking event Tuesday.

“We want to get to know more about your company and how your company can fit into this project,” said William Chambers, a senior project manager with Satterfield & Pontikes.

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In August, HISD selected the firm to be the construction manager at risk (CMAR) for the Waltrip building project. Part of the project will be funded under the district’s 2007 bond program and the remainder by the 2012 $1.89 billion bond program.

The 270,000-square-foot, multi-phase project will be a combination of new construction and general renovations to the existing high school building. Site improvements and building additions include relocating the school’s main entrance, a new bus drop-off area with a metal canopy, and new flexible and open learning areas.

The project scope of work also entails some demolition, replacing the building’s curtain wall and window systems, exterior cleaning, door and hardware replacements, interior finish replacements, and updates to the electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems.

Since bid packages for the project are still being defined, bidding for the two-year project is not open yet. Satterfield & Pontikes expect to begin requesting bids from subcontractors as early as mid-summer. The firm encouraged attendees to register in its bid system in order to receive updates on bids and minority and women-owned business enterprise (M/WBE) certification guidelines. The project is expected to have at least 20 percent participation from M/WBEs.

“I’m interested to see what types of energy efficiency needs there are for this project, especially with LED lighting, since everyone these days are trying to reduce their carbon footprint,” said Deyanira Burton, a co-owner of Solentric, Inc., a minority and woman-owned business that has completed electrical and weatherization work and energy audits for schools and retail buildings.

The Waltrip project will be built to meet standards to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Silver certification, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. HISD is working toward building and renovating all 40 schools under the bond program to be green schools that reduce energy and water consumption and utilize natural light to influence heating and cooling on campuses.

“The district is embarking on designing new schools that meet 21st century learning,” said Steven E. Hoyt, HISD’s senior manager of the construction services bond fund program. “These spaces will be much more open, flexible and sustainable.”