Story Category: Local Schools »

The St. Mary’s County Board of Education has chosen the architect of Evergreen Elementary School to design the new elementary school in Leonardtown.

The award to TCA Architects was somewhat natural since the board decided two weeks ago to use Evergreen as the proto-type for the new school: http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/27335. The bid award is for $1,386,600. The firm was founded in 1973 and has an office in Annapolis.

Using the prototype for Evergreen allows a savings of $420,320 over the design cost for Evergreen, although $192,157 of those savings are adjustments for inflation. There are several factors which contribute to the system not saving more money. According to Deputy Superintendent J. Bradley Clements in his report to the board:

“Changes in building codes, specific site design requirements, new storm-water management regulations, and the continuing evolution of the U.S. Green Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) will necessitate modifications in the proto-type design. In addition, the original electrical engineer for the proto-type design has retired and another engineering firm will be retained for the design of the electrical systems for the new elementary school.”

The proposed base architectural and engineering fee is 6.17 percent of the projected construction contract of $21 million. Typically the base fee is in the range of eight to 10 percent, according to Clements.