The line of contractors stretched roughly 20 deep just before 11 a.m. in the parking lot in front of Wayne Jamison Field and saddled between the site for the new Johnson Elementary School and the existing one. And according to all involved, that was a good sign.

 

This morning, Johnson Elementary School was the site of a mandatory pre-bid conference for contractors looking to bid on the $16.7 million new JES. According to construction manager for the project Kevin Wills of MBP, roughly 38 contractors – some general and some looking for specific parts of the project – signed in to the mandatory event.

 

After initially gathering in the parking lot of the school, the contractors were directed into the school library to hear details relating to the project and bid process and answer questions. Thomas R. Worlledge, AIA, of McKinley & Associates whose company is the lead architect on the project, said seeing the large turnout and a library that was standing room only was a good thing.

 

“This was a great turnout,” said Worlledge. “Part of the reason for that is that it’s mandatory and you have to be here in order to bid on the packet, but when you see this many bidders you know the contractors are going to sharpen their pencils because they’re competing against one another to get this project.”

 

The contractors weren’t the only ones in attendance. JES Principal Vicki Huffman and Assistant Principal Heather Holbert were in attendance, as was Bridgeport High School Assistant Principal Matt DeMotto. The school board office had several individuals in attendance, including Dr. Mark Manchin. Like Worlledge, he was thrilled with the turnout and said it’s time for people to get excited about the project.

 

“This is where the rubber is starting to meet the road,” said Manchin. “ … I am extremely pleased with this turnout and over the years (in his past role as the head of the School Building Authority) I’ve been to pre-bid meetings with no more than five contractors I attendance. This is important and it bodes well for the possibility of getting good numbers with a bid.”

 

The actual session inside the JES library was relatively short. A few questions were answered and others that may come up in between now and the bid opening need to be submitted in writing to Wills.

 

The bid opening is set for May 3 at 1:30 p.m. It will take place in the existing Harrison County Board of Education office on E.B. Saunders Way. The bids will be reviewed, but a bid will not be awarded at the time. The bid winner for what is a non-prevailing wage project goes to the lowest qualified bidder. Due to the project include multiple bid packets, one general contractor could be awarded the entire project or some of the alternate items could also be bid out.

 

“You’re going to see earth being moved here in the three to four weeks, likely less than a month, with a groundbreaking,” said Manchin. “People will know it’s serious when they start seeing 20,000-plus cubic yards of dirt coming right through here. That won’t necessarily be pretty, but this site will be pretty when it’s done.”

 

Manchin has said the goal is to have the school ready for students by August of 2018.  The two-story, 65,000 square foot structure is being funded by $10.7 million from the SBA, while the other $6 million are local funds that are the result of dollars provided by Harrison County taxpayers.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Architect Thomas R. Worlledge, AIA, of McKinley & Associates directing contractors signing in to head to the Johnson Elementary Library, while second photo shows JES Principal Vicki Huffman left, and assistant principal Heather Holbert, right, talking to BHS Assistant Principal Matt DeMotto.