GRAVETTE — Construction should begin soon on two new buildings for Gravette Public Schools. The Board of Education last Thursday evening approved construction contracts for a new field house at the school and a new music complex for the middle school.
The $3,918,324 contract was awarded Nabholz Construction Services which will serve as general contractor for the project.
Jared Brown, construction manager for Nabholz who constructed the high school, was present to explain the contract "came in at $135,072 under budget."
Several alternates such as canopies, fences and alternate lighting could be approved at a later date.
The field house bid which will include dressing rooms and other amenities was$2,268,246, while bid for the music complex is $1,650,078.
Bids do not include architect fees but subcontractor contracts are included in the final figures.
"It was a good response," Brown said. His firm screened the 32 packets of bids before making the final bid offer which the board accepted.
"The date for (the groundbreaking for the project) has not been scheduled," said Dr. Andrea Kelly, Superintendent of Schools. That date will be announced.
School Sign
In other action at the special meeting, the board approved an agreement with Kim Hendren which will allow the school to erect a new electric sign at the northwest corner of Lion Drive and Highway 72East on property owned by Hendren.
According to the board action Jim Hendren, school board president, and Dr.
Kelly were authorized to sign the agreement that states "In consideration for the use of the space required for the location of the sign, the Board of Education agrees to remove the sign in the event the sign must be removed to accommodate future development of the property at that corner at school expense." It requires 90 day notification to the superintendent if the sign must be removed.
Board member Jim Hendren did not participate in the voting.
Action on the decision was unanimous.
Board member John Edwards was not present for the meeting.
News, Pages 1 on 09/16/2009