Farmington, CT, in a 45-minute sprint Wednesday night, the Farmington High School Building Committee processed 24 invoices, debated air-conditioning for a glassy vestibule, and authorized design work for four handicap-accessible parking spaces closer to the school’s secondary entrance.
“The accessible spots are something we need to move forward on before summer.” Committee Chair
$1.1 Million in Approvals
The committee advanced $1,113,588.50 in payments and credits:
- O&G Industries: $876,375.87 for central-office construction (April).
- TSKP Studio: $42,000 for architectural services (April).
- InterScape: $180,499.36, closing the furniture contract.
- IES Commissioning: Two invoices ($5,326.60 and $4,800) for HVAC testing.
- Arcadis: $9,942.80 across high-school and central-office oversight.
- Change-orders: 11 adds and credits, net $−13,716, including a new coaches’ game clock (+$8,524.17) and a scrapped anti-graffiti coating (−$12,442.86).
“We’re in good shape financially, but a contingency transfer is inevitable.” Russ Mancini, Project Manager
Cost Call-Out
Upcoming Design Add-Ons
- ADA parking design: $8,310
- Vestibule mini-split A/C design: $3,800
- Estimated construction totals: ≈ $90 k (parking) and ≈ $31 k (HVAC)
ADA Parking vs. Long Walks
Current code requires accessible stalls within 200 feet of an entrance; Farmington’s are nearly twice that distance. The new design will carve four spots, and curb ramps, into the fire lane beside the auditorium.
The Vestibule A/C Debate
The glass-walled Area F vestibule was built heat-only. Board-of-Education liaison Kathy Greene urged comfort upgrades now that the space doubles as a family-registration lobby.
“I wouldn’t want it to be uncomfortable for visitors, some families could be waiting 20 minutes or more,” Greene said.
After a brief back-and-forth, members okayed $3,800 in design fees for a mini-split system; installation is penciled in at ≈ $31,894 this summer.
Construction Snapshot
- 1928 Building: Drywall complete on top floors; elevator foundation next.
- High-School Punch List: Final fixes queued for summer break; grandstands ship this winter.
- Contingency Balance: $4.6 million remains district-wide, but $400 k will shift from construction-manager reserves to central-office overruns.
“Our budget passed; now let’s cool the vestibule before tempers heat up.” Sarah Healey, Town Council
Looking Ahead
- Graduation: Class of 2025 walks June 10; last day of school June 11.
- Next Meeting: Virtual session June 4 (agenda and Zoom link forthcoming).
Thanks to Our Sponsor 😎
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About the Author
Jack Beckett files copy between sips of black coffee brewed strong enough to stand change-orders upright. ☕ Catch his bylines, and occasional caffeine rants, across Farmington’s civic beat.
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© 2025 The Farmington Mercury / Mercury Local
This article, “Builders Green-Light $1.1 Million, Order Four ADA Parking Spaces,” by Jack Beckett is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.
“Builders Green-Light $1.1 Million, Order Four ADA Parking Spaces”
by Jack Beckett, The Farmington Mercury (CC BY-ND 4.0)