Several summer improvement projects at Plum Middle School are set to begin as soon as this week, according to district CFO Ryan Manzer.
The school will see its HVAC controls replaced in addition to the replacement and relocation of its dust collector and some mechanical equipment.
On the outside, the district will install new doors and windows and make “exterior improvements” to the school’s rear courtyard.
Though it was initially estimated to cost more than $1 million, the school’s new HVAC systems will be installed by Combustion Services & Equipment for $635,000, Manzer said.
That project likely will be finished early next school year, according to estimates by HDG Architects, the firm leading the renovations. It will involve upgrading and replacing certain HVAC components, such as hot and chilled water systems, rooftop units and classroom ventilators.
The dust collector project, Manzer said, came in more than $600,000 under its original estimate with an $874,425 bid from the Limbach Co.. The project will see the rooftop dust collector moved to a ground-level exterior location in addition to improvements to mechanical equipment.
HDG estimated that project would be complete by August.
Penn Township-based AB Specialties will handle the new doors and windows at a cost of $863,300, Manzer said. Those should be substantially complete by September or October, according to HDG.
While expected to be completed about the same time, the rear courtyard improvements still are out for bid, Manzer said. The work, estimated to cost about $200,000, will involve replacing and regrading existing concrete and asphalt for appropriate stormwater drainage.
HDG principal Rob Rensi said the projects would likely involve about a dozen workers on site.
Future projects at the middle school, including roof improvements, he said, have been discussed but would require approval from the board. Those projects could occur next summer, Rensi said.
The improvements at the middle school are a smaller piece of a $30 million, multiyear building project in the district that also includes renovations and an addition at O’Block Elementary School.
Work at O’Block, however, would likely not be complete until 2027.
About half of the middle school project costs, Manzer said, will be covered by “alternative revenue sources” like nearly $2 million in state grant funding.
link