The construction site for the replacement Bennett Middle School on South Division Street in Fruitland is busy with equipment and workers, and the school project is on schedule for the planned August 2015 opening.
"We were able to start working in the spring a little sooner than planned, so despite all the wet weather, we're still ahead of schedule and we're moving forward very aggressively," said Dr. John Fredericksen, Superintendent of Schools. "We had a good couple of months here of just preparing the site, moving earth, and setting up the stormwater management and erosion control, all of which had to be done prior to the start of any actual construction. By the end of the summer, people will be able to start to see the outlines of the new school when they drive by."
Site preparation work was done throughout March and April and into late spring to prepare sediment and erosion control measures (including four drainage ponds and swales) required for construction. Early work required prior to the start of building construction included protecting areas that will serve as submerged gravel wetlands, and installing perimeter fencing, security gates, a parking area for construction worker vehicles, and an access road to the construction trailer.
The extremely wet weather this summer briefly slowed down some work on the site, but the project continues to be ahead of schedule. The building pad is 100% done, and in the gym area at the northwest corner of the school, the footings are in and block work is underway. The slab for the gym area will be poured soon, and structural steel will begin to rise in the near future. Preparation for the geothermal wells is underway. The well drilling for the geothermal system has begun.
Each day, some 50 to 60 people report to work at the BMS site. They represent trades including mechanical, electrical, concrete, masonry, geothermal and HVAC. Many of these workers are local.
"This is an important project for the students and families served by Bennett Middle, for the school staff, and it's also important for the local economy for all of the work it's generating," Dr. Fredericksen said.
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26 comments:
More Frederickson lies. Keep it up Dude.
almost allof thejobs at thenew school are to out oftowners. very few locals are working there. they had to haul thousands ofloads of dirt becauser of the low land. looks like another snow job to me. thanks sjd
Yeah. What does he mean by "we"? Is his *as out there digging? What a waste of tax payer dollars he is. Did he reimburse the boe for that trip to china? What is was the point of it anyway?
Problem is 10:38 it's hard to find a decent local contractor capable of handling the job. Also, if a dispute were to arise it would be hard to resolve it in or out of court due to the nepotism. Basically, we want the school built sometime in the next decade.
Waste of my tax dollars need another re education camp like we need a CORRUPT BOE.You leeches are never happy..lottery speed cams taxes fees increases .....all for the kids BS...lies upon lies ...your ilk promote illigetimacy.. abortion and ..welfare to bolster your enslavement of generations setting them free as good little future godless commies...no support here
Funny. Wi high & Wi high middle schools have NEVER HAD to be replaced.
The old Bennett Middle School should have been remodeled just like Bennett High School and North Salisbury School should have been remodeled. These BOE and County Council Members should be held accountable for this atrocity.
If the contractor showed up he's already a step ahead of most local contractors. How these businesses pay their employees Ill never know. Must be nice working harder at excuses than doing actual work. Welcome to Delmarva.
Amen 11:45. Nepotism and the shore go hand and hand. Its sickening.
They were probably built better in the first place.
Which will sink faster -- this Taj Mahal or the fire station on the swamp in Salisbury?
11:45,unless your a contractor,you dont know the secret lobbying that goes on behind the scenes to get the large contracts,its not black and white or fair.
Bennett Const. was just hired to haul 1000 loads of fill so they could keep working.
As Andy Harris said : GET OVER IT! BMS is being built. Now stop your whining.
I know the Wicomico County Council just approved another round of borrowing at the bond market - 11.5 million.
These schools should be put up for a public referendum before anyone is considered to be built.
8:39am I saw that on PAC-14 and every council members voted for it. I'm not understanding those council members who were opposed to this now votes for the funding of it. Flip-Floppers is what I call them.
The Wicomico school impact fee of $5,200+- for each new house constructed is unfair and poorly planned. The impact fee should be a small transfer tax on all real estate. Why are only new homes targeted as the reason for increased school needs? Don't people who buy older houses have school children too? Do local politicians think people moving to this area with children only buy new homes?
Most subcontractors do not want to work for the general contractor - Whiting Turner. If you want to work for Whiting Turner, you will do it at their price and not yours. Your bid on bid day does not matter because they will get what they think is the right price.Since they are bringing in more fill dirt to the site, let see how much this change order will add to the price of this project. If you look at the BOE long term construction schedule which is buried on their website, you will see 2 more large scale projects that are in the works. Now is the time to raise questions and comments about the cost of these projects. If not, they will turn into Taj Maham III and IV.
Mr. Freddie,
How that budget looking, oh no we are way over. For cost saving we are sending pig rickie to china, air - $12k, hotel - 6k, food - $10k, and misc gifts to friends - $20k, as he is an "outstanding ambassador" ?
SFB yes!
Thanks County Council members who voted for this. Don't forget about the Fruitland City Council who also had something to do with this project. Everyone of you (mostly past & those present who voted for it) should be ashamed.
Anybody with kids wanna buy a nice home in fruitland..i wanna move to va
10:42
nepotism ??? Please explain .... or don't you know what the word means ????
A project that should have never been started to begin with..... a complete waste of money and time.... i still say just fix the old school and bring it up to date..... will still be cheaper
There are plenty of qualified subs on the shore to do the work. But the GC has many hurdles in place so the politically connected only get most of the big work.
6:44pm Hey, it doesn't matter any more what you say about just fixing the old school and bringing it up to date. That train derailed a long time ago. Suck it up and get on board the new train for the new BMS. Stop whining. You sound like a spoiled little brat.
1134 is correct. any shore contractor who would contractually agree to W/T's schedule would basically be forced to hire 140 people for 2 weeks, then lay them off. It's ridiculous. That's why 140-employee companies come over here for two weeks, then go back to DC.
All you want jobs here on the shore, but you let your "leaders" pick the W/T contractors for you. I don't give a crap if the dang place ever gets built. It will anyway, but it should be built by us if anyone.
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