North Shore Environmental Construction was low bidder ($287,000.00), on the mercury contaminated floor removal, at the Wright Field House gymnasium in Keokuk, Iowa. NSEC was awarded the project on February 27, 2012 by the Keokuk Community School District.
The project started on March 12, 2012.
NSEC first had to remove the 18,000 sq. ft. wooden maple floor with a 1/2’” tartan floor underneath. Once the floor was removed, an additional 5/8” of asphalt was scarified to complete the cleanup.
The floor was contaminated because of the tartan underlay, which was laid down in the 1970’s. Also, it was contaminated with a mercury bi product to help the floor cure, during the drying process. The mercury eventually migrated into the maple floor along with the asphalt.
NSEC used specialized equipment to remove the contaminated floor. NSEC used a crew of 9 Technicians, and completed the project on March 22, 2012, 8 days ahead of schedule.
The project generated (11) 30 yard roll off containers during the removal. The material was shipped as a hazardous waste to Belleville, Michigan where it was micro encapsulated for disposal.
Article as it appeard in the Daily Gate City’s Newspaper below:
GYM FLOOR WORK TO COST MORE THAN EXPECTED
By Megan Spees/Staff Writer
The Keokuk School District has to dig deeper into its wallet than previously anticipated, in order to get rid of the old floor at Wright Fieldhouse.
At its Feb. 27 meeting, the school board awarded a contract for athletic flooring abatement services at Wright Fieldhouse to the lowest bidder, North Shore Environmental of Germantown, Wis.
According to Project Manager Jamie Rochleau of Story Construction, abatement bids far exceeded the $80,000 originally budgeted due to inherent risk and the time frame.
“We talked to a couple of the (bidding) contractors … and they couldn’t get comfortable enough with the scope of work that was in front of them,” Rochleau said. “So in order to become comfortable with it, they increased their bid.”
North Shore’s bid came in at $287,280, still more than the adjusted project budget of $240,000.
“Do they think they’ll have a problem with the time frame?” board member Mike Beaird asked.
“No. As a matter of fact I think they plan on, once they mobilize, working around the clock to get it done,” Rochleau replied.
He said that removal of the floor should be done around March 30, followed by additional demolition inside the fieldhouse that would include tearing out and replacing the asphalt slab.
Environmental testing indicates that mercury has seeped into the asphalt layer. Most landfills won’t accept that kind of material, which is why it’s being hauled to Detroit, Mich. Transportation has become another factor in the rising cost of abatement.
Board member Alka Khanolkar noted the uncertainty of what might be found under the U-drive when it’s remodeled.
“What do we have left?” she asked.
“From a contingency standpoint? We’re pretty much wiped out,” Rochleau said.
Reynolds said, “With regard to what we had initially allocated for contingency, this (floor abatement project) is by far the largest item we have that has exceeded what we anticipated for the budget. It’ll basically take care of what we had allocated for contingency.”
He recommended that more funds be allocated toward the project by suspending contributions from the sales tax fund for debt service for a year, which would allow about $260,000 more for the project.
Floor abatement is scheduled to begin Monday, March 12.
Randy Littrell of Story Construction said contractors already have removed scoreboards, bleachers and backboards from the fieldhouse.
To prevent disruptions during the school day, work is only being done in the evenings.
The board also awarded a contract for renovations at George Washington Elementary to the lowest bidders: Bi-State Contracting, selective demolition; Frank Millard & Company, general work; Moore’s Floors, flooring finishes; Pauley & Sons, paints and coatings; and Mohrfeld Electric, electrical and communications work. Renovations will take place over the summer.
Rochleau said all bids came in under budget.
No comments were made during a public hearing regarding George Washington renovations.
In other business, the board:
Approved a three-year agreement with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees AFL-CIO Local 2005 (custodians, maintenance, bus drivers and food service workers). The contract includes salary increases of 2.5 percent in 2012-13; 2.25 percent in 2013-14; and 2 percent in 2014-15.
Approved a Talented and Gifted Acceleration Plan as presented by TAG instructor Diane Berner.
The plan allows students to advance in academic areas of strength, if they’re ready and motivated for the challenge.
Will request that the city replace stop lights at the Ninth and 10th street intersections on Timea Street next to Wells-Carey Elementary with four-way stop signs. The city had asked the district’s permission to remove the lights. Because Wells-Carey will continue to function as a bus stop after the school closes, the board wants traffic control in place.
Held the first readings of board policies regarding conflict of interest and written procedures for the monitoring of the tax-exempt status of bonds.
Approved an extra duty resignation from certified staff member Lisa Weis, George Washington lunchroom supervision, effective at the beginning of 2012-13.
