The Fort Mill School Board of Trustees voted to enter into a contract to purchase property on Gold Hill Road at the April 12, 2010 school board meeting. The land purchase is for the proposed Fort Mill Elementary School 8.
Fort Mill School Superintend Dr Keith Callicutt explained to the public audience at last night?s meeting, the property is located on Gold Hill Rd across from Steve?s. The property is currently owned by the McCall family.
The district had been trying to purchase another property for the last couple years for Elementary school 8, but ran into several problems and was forced to enter into condemnation proceedings. After approximately an 8 week search, 3 properties were identified and considered before the McCall’s property was accepted by the 2 agencies and the Fort Mill School District.
Southern Management Group, a hired construction management consultant for the district, said it will take approximately 45 to 60 days to perform the due diligence to make sure the property will be suitable for the new elementary school. The current timeline shows the new elementary school would be open Fall 2012.
Here is SMG?s current report on Elementary School 8:
Fort Mill School District Four
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Elementary School #8
Architect: AAG
Anticipated Bid Date: Early 2010
Anticipated Completion Date: February 2012
STATUS
Over the last eight (8) weeks, we have investigated three (3) new sites. Part of the
investigation was to have SCDOT and OSF make a site visit and review each of the
projects. One of the sites received both agencies approval and we have since entered into
negotiations on the property and have also issued a Letter of Intent (LOI). If the board
elects to enter into a contract on the property, we will immediately begin our due
diligence process which includes soil borings, environments studies, topographical study,
land appraisal, and a boundary survey. The entire process should take approximately 45
to 60 days. We can also begin the site adaption of the new elementary school design at
the time of the contract execution.
If all goes well, we could potentially close on the property within 90 days and begin
construction in August.
BUDGET
o The current design includes space for a 1000 student capacity and remains
approximately $2,000,000 over budget. We are optimistic that the current bidding
environment, in conjunction with increased competition, will aid in reducing the
delta. We are also identifying alternates and Value Engineering items to assist in
bring the project back down to budget.
KEY ISSUES
o Site Acquisition
o PD Approval from the County (Second Reading / final approval) is tentatively
scheduled for early February 2010.
