It's Official, Stahl Awarded GC Contract for Ankeny Centennial High School

Board Approves Favorable Bid for Ankeny Centennial High School

On Monday, August 30, the Ankeny Board of Education accepted a base construction bid plus alternates of $43,000,000 from Stahl Construction to build Ankeny Centennial High School.  This bid is significantly less than the original base bid estimate of $48,550,000.

Because the base bid ($40,990,000) was so far under estimate, the district was also able to accept several proposed “alternate” options to better accommodate academic programming, improve long-term maintenance of the facility, and improve energy efficiency.   These “alternates” included constructing an auto shop, concrete parking vs. asphalt, terrazzo flooring as opposed to vinyl, and LED parking lot lighting, which brings the base bid plus alternates to $43 million.

The total project expense (the base bid, alternates, professional fees, fixtures, furnishings and equipment, miscellaneous expenses and contingency budget, etc.) for Ankeny Centennial High School is approximately $50.5 million. This is approximately $5.6 million under the original estimate of $56.1 million for the total project expenses.

District officials had noted a competitive bidding environment could be beneficial to district projects at this time. Eight contractors bid on the facility and bids were generally better than those received for the Ankeny High School project. Less than $1 million separated the four lowest bids.

Stahl Construction, the winning bidder, is based in St. Louis Park, MN, and is currently constructing the Urbandale Middle School expansion.  

The $5.6 million in savings gives the Board of Education additional options and flexibility. These dollars could be applied to one of a number of projects to reduce pressure on property tax.

“It is a great day in Ankeny,” stated Dr. Matthew Wendt, Superintendent of Schools. “Not only will Ankeny have outstanding high schools that will accommodate ongoing growth and provide flexibility for some time, the low bids result in the availability of additional sales tax dollars which can reduce the need for property tax. Both of these elements are extremely important.”

The public is invited to attend a groundbreaking ceremony for the facility Wednesday, September 1, 2010, 5:30 pm.  Groundbreaking will be held at the corner of NW 18th Street and NW State Street.  Signs and indicators will direct the public to the event location.