Project Case Study
Elementary School Upgrades
With most built facilities built between 50 and 100 years ago, technology and security upgrades had become a long-overdue necessity. Over three and a half years, McCownGordon led the construction management of nine different elementary schools under a single contract with a rolling Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). By providing comprehensive preconstruction services throughout, this $65 million bond initiative not only addressed immediate infrastructure needs but strategically positioned Lawrence Public Schools for future growth and long-term success.
The projects varied in size, with four major additions and renovations lasting around a year, while the smaller additions and interior renovations were completed in shorter timeframes, such as 4-month additions and 10-week interior renovations. For these projects, McCownGordon also assisted with bulk purchase agreements for carpet and VRF equipment, extending support even to projects led by other contractors. Since the schools were occupied, this emphasized the importance of constant and effective communication with the district. With communication as a focus, our construction team led to the successful and safe implementation of construction activities while maintaining a strong learning environment.
McCownGordon played a crucial role in guiding the owner through each phase of the project, spanning preconstruction, construction and closeout. This involved coordinating with the design team to ensure that deliverables across multiple projects were strategically timed to prevent overlap, simplifying budget management. The team also carefully planned bid dates to avoid overwhelming the subcontractor community, considering district and regional workloads. Additionally, projects were staggered to streamline move-out and move-in processes, even as multiple projects were happening simultaneously.Â
