How’s That Building Coming?

It may be the question I hear most often . . . “How’s the building coming along?”  Well, now would be as good a time as any for a little update, don’t you think?

I visit the building every Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM for the weekly Owners-Architects-Contractors (OAC) meeting. We discuss progress, look ahead at the three-week calendar, and finish by taking a tour of the facility.  Each week I leave absolutely giddy!  I’m not sure I’ve ever been in an elementary school as awe-inspiring as Neil Armstrong Academy.  My pictures, video, and comments don’t nearly do it justice!

The scheduled completion date for the building has always been August 15th . . . and, with school starting on August 21st, that’s a tight turn around.  Both the architects and contractors, however, have been outstanding to work with, and they are very committed to having us ready.  The district officials I work with on the project (who have far more experience and expertise than I do in these matters) agree the architects and contractors are excellent and will have us ready for school on August 21st.

That being said, please be aware the expectation is to have the building 95% complete to start the school year.  All essential and life-safety components will be in place, and we’ll be ready for students to start the 2013-2014 school year.  But, things like the gym, library, or landscaping will probably not be completely finished until a few weeks into the school year.  Ultimately, a few hiccups getting started seem a small price to pay for the jewel of a school we get in return.

With the 95%-completion date set for August 15th, I’m having furniture delivered on the 12th.  Most likely, teachers will be able to access the building on August 15th.  I’ll keep the building accessible to them round the clock from the moment we get the go ahead to enter the building until the start of the school year to give them every opportunity to get set up.  We’ll have a fun August!

Keep in mind . . . we’ll be looking for quite a few volunteers the week of August 12th to move into the building.  If you’re up for it, we’d love to have you.