Community Consolidated Elementary District 181 administrators expect to be working out of their new $4.7 million headquarters at 133 E. Ogden Ave. next summer.
The school board Monday approved a $3.75 million bid from Construction Inc. of Lombard.
“We had 19 different contractors pick up packets, which is great interest in our project,” said Mindy Bradford, assistant superintendent of business and operations.
Thirteen of those companies submitted bids, ranging from Construction Inc.’s low bid to a high of almost $5.4 million.
Work includes complete demolition and reconstruction of the lower level, first floor and second floor, tuckpointing, asphalt shingle roofing, new exterior windows, aluminum doors and frames, flooring, acoustical ceilings, painting and more. The district had estimated the work to cost $3.9 million.
The board rejected the four alternate bids for staining the exterior masonry instead of painting, replacing the roof, adding security glazing to windows and roughing in an area for a generator that might be installed at a later date. Officials determined the roof has another 10 years of life, and the other bids came in too high, Bradford said.
Two bids on the project are outstanding — one for site work (repaving, lighting, fencing, landscaping, etc.) and one for modernizing the elevator. Both should be before the board in December.
Other costs of the project, such as architect fees and furniture, fixtures and equipment, will bring the total project cost to almost $4.7 million, she said.
Work is expected to begin Oct. 28 and be substantially completed by June 2, with a move-in date by mid-June. The district now rents 12,000 square feet at 115 W. 55th St. in Clarendon Hills for $17,000 a month.
Board member Mike Martin said administrators should make sure the attorney is reviewing the contract carefully to ensure the space will be ready before the current lease ends June 30.
Bradford said supply chain issues and other delays that have affected construction in previous years seem to be resolved.
“We’ve had really good luck with our full-day kindergarten bids,” she said. “We really haven’t experienced any of those supply chain issues.”
The district could lease the current space month-to-month in a worst-case scenario, she added.
The district bought the Ogden Avenue building for $3.1 million a year ago after spending seven years searching for a new district office. Officials looked at 21 possible sites to lease and 18 to purchase.
The building is within district boundaries, has adequate parking, needs relatively little remodeling and had the lowest purchase price of other properties officials investigated.
