Bids came in under budget for the upcoming construction projects at Riverside and Lowell elementary schools in Brainerd.

The Brainerd School Board reviewed bids and awarded contracts during their meeting Monday, Feb. 10.

The projects are both part of the second wave of school district building projects. Construction is projected to start this summer, with work expected to finish up in 2021.

Riverside Elementary

The entryway at Riverside will receive cosmetic upgrades, as it is already a controlled entrance.

Much of the building will remain as is at the five-section elementary schools, though an addition on the east side will house a new multipurpose gymnasium; staff lounge; art, science and technology space; and a cafeteria receiving area.

The new gym, which will be the school’s second gymnasium, will not be quite full sized. The width will be that of a full-sized gym, but the length will be shorter. The district will, however, be able to add on in the future to make it full sized if need be.

The new gym on the back of the school means the playground will be moved and revamped with an added walking track.

The kitchen will be demolished and rebuilt and expanded. Kindergarten rooms will be made bigger as well.

Space near the current gym will be reconfigured into storage space, and three kindergarten rooms, along with the Title I programming area will be remodeled. Title I programs provide students with extra instructional support beyond regular classrooms to help low-achieving children meet state standards in core subjects. More special education space will be added on the north side of the building.

The board awarded the following contracts for the Riverside project at a total cost of $7,938,686:

• Earthwork, improvements, utilities — Anderson Brothers Construction, $374,390.

• Concrete — TNT Aggregates, $281,130.

• Precast concrete — Wells Concrete Products, $218,485.

• General contractor — Hy-Tec Construction, $2,259,600.

• Acoustic ceiling and wall system — St. Cloud Acoustics, $260,020.

• Flooring — MCI, $177,785.

• Roofing — Thelen Heating and Roofing, $110,500.

• Glazing systems — Gull Lake Glass, $98,745.

• Food service equipment — Plexus Co., $370,550.

• Electrical — Holden Electric, $1,116,707.

• Mechanical — Peterson Sheet Metal, $2,173,000.

• Fire suppression — Summit Fire Protection, $61,700.

• Athletic flooring — Dynamic Sports Construction, $58,319.

• Masonry — Harbor City Masonry, $377,755.

The original construction budget for the project was just under $10 million.

Lowell Elementary

A new gymnasium addition will go on the east side of Lowell Elementary School, while the current gym will be reconfigured into a cafeteria and kitchen area. A new administrative suite addition will go on the building’s southwest corner.

Also included in the designs are a two-story classroom addition; a learning commons for each grade; art, science, technology and media spaces; a flexible classroom; and remodeled special education rooms. The classroom addition will allow Lowell to house three sections of kindergarten and four sections for first through fourth grades.

Outside, a 45-stall parking lot will be built to the south of the building. Parents will pick up and drop off students on G Street.

The board awarded the following contracts for the Lowell project at a total cost of $7,755,053.55:

• Earthwork, improvements, utilities — DeChantal Excavating, $800,227.

• Concrete — Rice Lake Construction Group, $399,600.

• Precast concrete — Wells Concrete Products, $541,031.

• General contractor — Baratto Brothers Construction, $3,252,000.

• Acoustic ceiling and wall systems — St. Cloud Acoustics, $220,225.

• Flooring — Floors by Beckers, $139,447.

• Roofing — Green Valley Roofing, $215,330.55.

• Glazing systems — Northland Glass and Glazing, $290,250.

• Food service equipment — Plexus Co., $361,570.

• Electrical — Holden Electrical, $1,371,776.

• Fire suppression — LVC Cos., $82,515.

• Athletic Flooring — Dynamic Sports Construction, $81,082.

The original construction budget for the project was just under $9.2 million. The mechanical work for Lowell will be rebid, as project managers redesigned the mechanical system after bids were solicited. The bid opening for the mechanical work is set for 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13.
For more information and full schematic designs on all the district’s building projects, visit blueprint181.org .

THERESA BOURKE may be reached at theresa.bourke@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5860. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchTheresa .