It’s early, and there’s still more than a year to go, but after roughly two weeks of work on the new Johnson Elementary School, things are moving forward and on schedule, said Harrison County Assistant Superintendent of Schools Anthony Fratto.

 

“I’ve talked with the construction managers and both are satisfied with the progress to this point and from what I can see I’m satisfied with the progress to this point,” said Fratto. “As anyone can tell that’s driven by, we’re mainly in the earth-moving process of the project right now, but there’s a whole lot of other things taking place.”

 

For those that have been watching, they know that’s the case. Not only has earth been moved, but footers have been poured and are continuing to be poured to set the stage for construction to begin. Also, earlier this week, the long-standing restroom facility at Wayne Jamison Field became a thing of the past as contractors quickly demolished the structure.

 

New restrooms will actually be done this year. The contract calls for them to be in place by August for the first official sporting events that will take place at Jamison Field.

 

Contractors are also milling the parking lot. Eventually, the lot will be paved and could lead to usage later this summer prior to school. Also, work needs to be done on utilities as it relates to what’s underneath the parking lot.

 

“(Earlier this week) the contractor was working with utility companies about locations and where things need to be moved,” said Fratto. “The good news is that there were no problems in discussions regarding utilities.”

 

Recently, soil that will be used to raise the site of the new school has been coming in. That will continue as Fratto said thousands of cubic yards of dirt will be brought to the location.

 

“They’re going to raise the site by seven feet to it’s a substantial amount of dirt that they’re bringing in,” said Fratto. “When the soil arrives, (The) Thrasher (Group) tests the soil to make sure it’s not only adequate to build on, but that it can be compressed properly.”

 

Eventually, Fratto said more laborers – including masons – will be coming to the work site. Once that happens the start of the walls going up will take place.

 

“We’re definitely still on schedule to be open by August of 2018,” said Fratto.

 

Fratto said the way things are going eased concerns with the bidding process. Fratto and others weren’t dismayed with winning general contractor – City Construction – but many involved were worried that only one general contractor bid on what is roughly a $17.1 million project. School officials, as well as the architect that has been involved in dozens of large projects, confirmed they have never been involved in a project that had just one bid that was so substantial in price.

 

“We were never worried about City because they’re not only experienced and they’re a contractor we’re familiar with, but to have only one contractor was a bit concerning,” said Fratto. “I think a lot of concerns were going away when we worked with them on the cost and the day after the groundbreaking ceremony. They were on site the next day and moving. They were ready to go and it’s been a flurry of activity ever since.”

 

Fratto called City Construction and the contractors they’ve brought in as subs are “quality firms.” He said barring something unforeseen, everything should go as planned.

 

As for the massive pile of dirt near the existing Johnson Elementary Sign, Fratto said that is topsoil from the work site. He said that soil will be put back to help bring the elevation up seven feet.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows footers being poured, while earth is being removed from the existing stie in the second photo. In the third picture, workers mill the parking lot as part of the project, while a remnants of the old Jamison Field bathroom can be seen laying inside and around the dumpster in the bottom photo..