Central Intermediate Rises at School Complex

CENTRAL — Construction on the new Central School Complex on Sullivan Road is proceeding rapidly now that a steel redesign issue has been resolved and the weather is good.  Building A of the new Central Intermediate School is taking shape.

The complex will include the intermediate school and a new Central Middle School. Click here to see site plan.

Central schools construction coordinator Ross Bogan said Wednesday that both schools are now projected for occupancy by students in August 2012.  Supt. Mike Faulk had hoped they could be occupied sooner, because of the poor condition of the existing middle school and the fact that the intermediate school is in leased facilities.

“It was an aggressive schedule,” Bogan said, “especially for this area.  In Houston, they build schools a little quicker, but, all in all, this project is going very well.”

Each building in the complex has been given a letter as its designation.  Buildings A, B, and C are the intermediate school, while buildings D, E, and F are the middle school.  Buildings G, H, and J are for Technology, Gym, and Cafeteria respectively.

At the intermediate school, interior work has begun on Building A, the steel is up on Building B, and the steel is going up on Building C.

At the middle school, the foundation is being poured for buildings D, E, and F.

The cost of the project includes

• $34 million for school construction

• $4 million for roads around the complex and connecting to Sullivan and Duvall roads

• $750,000 to $1 million for improvements to Sullivan Road.

The Sullivan Road work is still in the design stage.  It will include a roundabout and turning lanes.  This part of the job will be let out for bid shortly after the design is complete.

Bogan said the public will really be able to visualize the project over the next few weeks.  “Brick will be going up as well as roofing.  It will begin to look like what we are planning.  The road work will be one of the larger undertakings.  It will be quite an effort.

The main entrance to the complex will be on Sullivan Road.  It will lead directly to the intermediate school.

That entrance will be graced on either side by large stands of historic live oaks, which Supt. Mike Faulk has vowed to preserve.  During construction, they are being protected by temporary fences.

Bogan said underground utilities will follow the main entrance road and will not intrude near the live oaks.

Jerry Culpepper, a retired arborist, is marking the trees.  “Only one has to go,” Bogan said, “because it is on the right of way on Sullivan.”  Culpepper will be working with the Live Oak Society on preservation efforts, Bogan said.

There will be three entrances to the complex from Sullivan and one from Devall.

A road will circle the entire complex and connect to ballfields.

The general contractor for the school construction project is a joint venture between Arkel Constructors of Baton Rouge and Roy Anderson of Gulfport.  Bogan said the two companies have a 60-40 split with Anderson having the majority.

“The market conditions were very favorable when we bid the job,” Bogan said, “and we got a good price.”

The primary subcontractors include Louis Mechanical for plumbing, Dykes Electric, Airtrol for heating and air conditioning, Aladdin for drywall, Postel Industries for steel, and Empire for steel erection.  Bogan said each of the joint venture partners — Arkel and Anderson — is using some of the respective usual subcontractors.

Arkel-Anderson Joint Venture also won the $4 million contract for road work.