Linn-Mar awards high school renovation project to Independence company

MARION - Linn-Mar school board members this week accepted a low bid of $19,548,000 from Larson Construction Company of Independence for the general contractor's portion of a $30 million renovation project at Linn-Mar High School.

The project attracted seven bidders, all turning in bids substantially under the architect's estimate of $26,760,868 for that portion of the project.

Architect Eric Beron, who coordinated the bidding for DLR Group of Des Moines, gave the Linn-Mar board three key reasons for the lower-than-expected bids:

' Coordinated and developed bidding documents.

' An early market watch and slight shift of the bid date, thereby avoiding multiple region bids on the same day.

' A high level of competitive bidding interest and favorable material pricing.

At Monday's meeting, the board also accepted bids from three other firms for relocating a communications tower and providing testing services in conjunction with the project.

The project, scheduled for completion in December 2016, is designed to improve the learning environment at the school, as well as increase enrollment capacity by 400 to 500 students.

Plans include two new main entrances with slightly different purposes, a collegiate-style lecture hall, expanded fitness center, student store and a guidance center where students could meet with career or college representatives.

The district has named Chad Schumacher, currently principal at Linn Grove Elementary School, as project manager for the duration of the renovation.