'GEOTECHNICAL CONDITIONS' A BOON FOR FERGUSON HIGH SCHOOL SITE


January 13, 2003


Construction costs for John A. Ferguson Senior High School have been substantially reduced, stated the design firm of Spillis Candela DMJM, thanks in part to a lake on the site that has provided rock for use as fill for the campus foundation and creating adjoining roads. The school, which is scheduled to open in the fall 2004, is located at 15900 S.W. 56 St.

Originally estimated at $43 million, the actual contruction bid turned out to be $37.6 million because geological tests by the county's Department of Environmental Resources Management and the South Florida Water Management District revealed that geotechnical conditions were better than anticipated.

In addition to other issues, the district saved $3 million by taking the limerock from the lake instead of trucking it in from another source, said Carlos Hevia, executive director for Capital Improvement.

By comparison, the two newest high schools built, Felix Varela built in 2000 and Dr. Michael M. Krop built in 1998, cost more to construct on smaller property and with less student stations.

SCHOOL	COST	SQ. FT.	YEAR	STUDENT STATIONS	SITE
Ferguson	$112.46	308,000	2004	2,862	60 acres
Varela	$126.71	300,000	2000	2602	37 acres
Krop	$120.19	298,000	1998	2450	42 acres

The new school, named for long-time community leader Rev. John Alphonso Ferguson, will be comprised of nine buildings clustered around a courtyard/plaza and include a three-story building with classrooms; vocational, skills and science labs; and a one-story music edifice.

This report comes on the heels of the district's successful recouping of funds invested in the purchase of the Sandman Nursery property three years ago. The site recently sold for $850,000.

For further information, contact Carlos Hevia or Project Manager Rolando Pardo at 305-994-4606.

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