Construction Update Archive - 2005

The most current information is on our construction page. You can also visit our 2006 archive.

December 12, 2005 - Design / development phase complete!
The design/development phase for the new high school is complete, the value engineering recommendations were approved by the Board of Directors in November (value engineering is the process to review all design work for potential cost-saving measures) and the conditional use permit requirements are in process with the City of Granite Falls. The District, architect and construction team will begin to develop the construction documents – the actual blue prints and specifications for the bid process. Ground breaking for the site work is on schedule for February. 

October 20, 2005 - Work continues toward groundbreaking
The Board approved the study and survey (a state requirement) in October; the architect held “design development” meetings over the past several weeks with groups of staff members to look at design elements for that specific group (i.e., office area, science or technology classrooms); the value engineering committee began work last month and will continue to meet (value engineering is the process to review all design work – basically an outside company reviews the plan for potential cost-saving measures); and preliminary meetings with City officials have started to begin discussions on the permitting process, water, sewer and road improvements. We are on schedule to break ground for the site work in February.

September 7, 2005 - Granite saves thousands on school bonds... 
Granite Falls School District officials announced that taxpayers in the school district will save thousands of dollars on bonds thanks to favorable interest rates. The Journal's story.

September 2, 2005 - Design team continues to meet
The design team continues to meet, the School Board approved the educational specifications, the study and survey should be completed in October and site work will begin in February. There is also quite of bit of behind the scenes activity – from traffic impact studies to hiring engineers. All high school staff members will be asked to help with design elements for specific areas of the school. 

June 22, 2005 - Construction management and architectural firms hired
With voter approval of the bond issue for a new high school May 17, the District has employed KJM Construction Management Services and Hutteball and Oremus Architecture for the project. A design committee comprised of staff, parents and school board members will begin meeting in July to tour newly constructed high schools and finalize the design aspects. The bond pricing is scheduled for Board approval in July. State mandated requirements (called the D-Form process) will begin next fall.