Combs High School—AZ
The J.O. Combs Unified School District hired ARCADIS in 2006 to provide project and construction management services for the District’s first high school. The 235,000 square foot, 1,700-student Combs High School was designed with numerous technological and building enhancements including the addition of SmartBoards and projectors throughout the campus; a 3:1 student-to-computer ratio; advanced energy management system for lighting and HVAC; a dedicated TV studio with professional-level equipment; a media communications lab; a health science (nursing) classroom and lab; dedicated physics, chemistry, earth science, biology, and biotech classrooms and labs; and a Life Skills Apartment (SPED) with full laundry and kitchen appliances.
ARCADIS’ involvement began at the conceptual phase of the project. By conducting feasibility studies of available land within the District, ARCADIS was able to identify the property that best met the needs of the District.
Our staff performed all due diligence and recommended that the District enter into a 75-year state land lease, which saved the School Facilities Board (who provided funding for the project in addition to District bond funds) $4.95 million. With ARCADIS’ proactive input, the District was able to acquire the lease four months ahead of typical lease procurement schedules.
As the project moved from design to construction with no central point of contact, it was apparent that the delays in decision-making and the failure of appropriate documentation was a direct result of the lack of streamlined communications. ARCADIS introduced the single point of contact technique to remedy these inefficiencies. This communication plan reduced conflicts by eliminating redundant communication and centralizing the decision-making process.
By enforcing this method, ARCADIS reduced the turnaround of Requests for Information (RFI) from an average of 55 days to 5 days. This significant reduction was possible by ARCADIS’ direct involvement in facilitating communications and following up on identified issues.
During construction, ARCADIS’ construction oversight identified additional significant savings opportunities. For example, by mass grading the construction site, the School Facilities Board and District saved over $250,000.
In addition, ARCADIS oversaw all phases of FF&E acquisition and installation which saved another $150,000. This allowed the District to purchase additional, out-of-scope equipment while remaining within the project budget. As a whole, ARCADIS' construction and project management services saved the District and School Facilities Board more than $7.7 million.
