Performing Arts Center at Zion-Benton Township High School

The new performing arts center for Zion-Benton Township High School will begin construction today, six weeks behind schedule per the Chicago Tribune. The reason for the delay is because the designing and planning stages took longer than expected so the project went out to bid later than planned. Construction is expected to be finished by December 1, 2019.  

The theater on the former Pearce Campus is being replaced by this new performing arts center. The old theater which was 80 years old, was demolished over the summer. Crews are still removing the foundation which should take about two more weeks. 

65 bids were received across 16 trades and the school board has hired 12 contractors for the work which will total $8.4 million. The school board delayed votes on two other contracts and decided to rebid another two based on the recommendations of staff and the construction manager it had hired in January.

The decision to rebid should not impact the start date. Site work will be be done first which will entail constructing the foundation walls for the entire theater and digging out the basement where the dressing rooms will be housed.

The estimated cost for the project is $12.5 million, more than the $9.2 million originally proposed. Fortunately, the district has enough funds to cover the difference. The higher cost is due to the scope of the work changing dramatically. The original plan was more of a simple auditorium than a performing arts center. The new plan includes renovation to the south gym lobby which was added later.

Some construction costs have also come in higher than expected. 

"Our economy right now is booming as far as construction goes, so prices have increased on a lot of the major trades for this project."

Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 Business Manager | Audrey Liddle

Camosy Construction is the construction manager on this project and is presently assessing to see if there are areas where costs can be cut without changing the overall project. This is one of the reasons why it recommended holding off on awarding two of the bids. The two lowest bidders were extremely close so as soon as Camosy Construction has determined the final scope, it will decide which bidder is the lowest.

Two other areas that are being taken out to bid again came in way lower than what had been estimated and had raised concerns that there had been a misunderstanding about what the district was looking for. 

DataBid is currently reporting on this project - Zion Benton Township High School Main Campus Theater Addition Rebid - Chicago (0020083118)