Ohio Elementary School Build Will Not Exceed $35 Million

By Lisa Kopochinski

NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio—In a recent “guaranteed-maximum price” agreement, it has been confirmed that the North Royalton School District will pay Hammond Construction Inc. of Canton, Ohio, no more than $35 million to manage construction of a new elementary school. The school will be located at the southwest corner of State Road and Valley Parkway in North Royalton, a suburb of Cleveland.

Under the GMP agreement, if the final project cost exceeds this $35 million figure, Hammond will be responsible for the overage, unless the district decides to expand the scope of work. In that event, the expanded cost would be the responsibility of the school district.

Conversely, if the project costs less than the $35 million. the savings would return to the district.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new elementary school—which will span approximately 147,000 square feet—was held August 30 at the construction site.

Tree clearing and sitework started in March, while construction of footers, steel beams and columns is expected to begin shortly.

“We are pleased with where the (GMP) numbers came in,” said Schools Superintendent Greg Gurka.

“We are all aware that costs have escalated in school construction since our bond issue was passed [in May 2017]. This can be seen in districts all around us. However, this elementary (school) GMP will allow us to continue to stay on budget and on schedule.”

The new school will replace Albion, Royal View and Valley Vista elementary schools. It is part of an overall district reconstruction and renovation project, which also involves a building addition and renovation at North Royalton High School, and a renovation of North Royalton Middle School.