Update as on 8-3-2022 on Charles Thompson Memorial Hall’s North (Front) Porch Renovations:
Abbreviations Key:
Charles Thompson Hall (CTH)
Renovations and Elevator Project (REP)
MacDonald and Mack Architects (MMA)
Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS)
Todd Grover, the chief architect overseeing the REP, from MacDonald and Mack Architects reported that Chadsworth, Inc. no longer carries the PolyStone product for the balusters and railings. This was a desire by Charles Thompson Hall committee to use a more durable type of product rather than wood. So, MMA have been searching for a replacement system and have come up with something new…however the balusters and specifically the roof posts are different. So, before we go ahead with modifying the construction documents, we wanted to pass this change by MNHS for their review and approval. The new proposed changes were approved on July 26, 2022.
FYI, the estimate from last year for the columns and balusters had two price increases in the past few months and now is roughly 20% more.
The newly revised plan and timeline is as follows:
Advertisement:
• MMA’s plan is to send this to a number of contractors we have worked with in the past who are able to do this work.
• They will also advertise it in the local papers and at the local builder’s exchange.
Timeline:
• Advertisement August 9
• Project available for contractors to review – August 9
• Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting – August 17, 2:00 pm.
o This is a time that the building will be opened up for the contractors.
• Questions Due: August 25
• Bid Opening: August 30, 2:00 pm.
o Contractors emails their bids to MMA and CTH.
o It does not need to be a public bid opening
• Bid Deliberation: August 30- September 2
o We need some time to look at the bids and maybe call references or ask the bidders some clarification questions
• Award Notification: September 6
• Contracting: September 6 – 9
• Notice to Proceed: September 12
Todd Grover guessed is that they won’t be able to get the work done this fall. Many projects that MMA bid out in the early part of 2022 are being delayed till next year. So, MMA’s guess is that they will take the fall to inspect things and then the winter to get all the materials on site to do it all staring in April.