The dismal economy is a black cloud hanging over Georgia, but it could provide a nice silver lining for the Commerce Board of Education.
The board expects to advertise for bids on its new Commerce High School in late January or early February, and bad economic times could translate into more competitive — read lower — bids.
The architect's rendering of the student entrance to the new Commerce High School. Officials hope the bad economy will result in more competitive bids this winter.
Bad economy could be good for school project
“Right now we’re hearing that the cost of steel has gone down a little bit, along with the cost of concrete,” said Superintendent James E. “Mac” McCoy. “My understanding is it (construction costs) is coming down, so we’re hoping for the best.”
Jackson County and Jefferson got a nice surprise recently when the bid for the improvements to John B. Brooks Road came in about $1 million lower than expected. The Jackson County Airport Authority experienced both a large number of bidders and lower-than-expected bids on its runway expansion project.
“It’s kind of nice when contractors are hungry and want to work,” said McCoy.
The target price from the board’s standpoint was about $18 million, but that will be inflated by the construction of a second gymnasium that had to be completed before the main project could be started.
The gym is more than half completed and is dried in. McCoy said it appears that the current high school basketball season will be finished in the old gym. Eventually, the bleachers will be moved to the new facility.
The practice gym will also include rest rooms and concession areas that will be used during football games.
The construction of the main campus is expected to take 18 months.
Jackson County and Jefferson got a nice surprise recently when the bid for the improvements to John B. Brooks Road came in about $1 million lower than expected. The Jackson County Airport Authority experienced both a large number of bidders and lower-than-expected bids on its runway expansion project.
“It’s kind of nice when contractors are hungry and want to work,” said McCoy.
The target price from the board’s standpoint was about $18 million, but that will be inflated by the construction of a second gymnasium that had to be completed before the main project could be started.
The gym is more than half completed and is dried in. McCoy said it appears that the current high school basketball season will be finished in the old gym. Eventually, the bleachers will be moved to the new facility.
The practice gym will also include rest rooms and concession areas that will be used during football games.
The construction of the main campus is expected to take 18 months.
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