Suffolk Construction Selected as Construction Manager at Risk for Saugus Middle-High School Project
(Saugus, MA) October 18, 2017 —Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree and the Saugus Building Committee are pleased to announce the selection of Suffolk Construction as the Town’s Construction Manager-at-Risk (CMR) for the Saugus Middle-High School Project. Contract negotiations were finalized earlier this week following an in-depth selection process.
Suffolk is a national construction management firm with over 34 years of experience delivering first-class facilities for some of the finest academic institutions across the nation. Suffolk has completed school building projects at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Suffolk University, and Everett High School. Suffolk Construction is currently managing phased construction projects at Somerville High School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Boston College, and others.
Suffolk was ranked as the first choice of the Building Committee Selection Subcommittee, which spent weeks reviewing project proposals, interviewing qualified applicants, and evaluating the firms and their respective proposals. Suffolk’s expertise, ideas, and commitment led the Subcommittee’s selection.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Suffolk Construction aboard our project team, and to continue moving forward on this project with the Massachusetts School Building Authority,” said Town Manager Scott Crabtree. “The selection of Suffolk Construction as the project’s Construction Manager at Risk is an exciting next step in the Design Development phase of the project, which brings us closer to building our new school for the community.”
The Town is in the Design Development phase of the project with the MSBA, and will submit a full design development package to the MSBA in early November. Following approval from the MSBA, the Town will then proceed into the pre-construction phase of the project. Groundbreaking is slated to begin late in the summer of 2018.
The Saugus High School Project Building Committee opted to pursue a “Construction Manager at-risk” construction method for the middle-high school project during their April 24, 2017 meeting. The CM-at-Risk delivery method guarantees that the selected Construction Manager will deliver the project within a Guaranteed Maximum Price, and it allows for more flexibility if adjustments need to be made throughout the pre-construction and construction phases.
The MSBA approved the project scope and budget during their Board Meeting on Wednesday, June 28, 2017. Soon after, the MSBA and the Town of Saugus finalized a Project Funding Agreement, and the Town of Saugus has proceeded into the Detailed Design phase of the Middle-High School Project.
During the Detailed Design phase of the project, the District and its team continue to advance the project and the MSBA continues to monitor the project to ensure it remains on track and meets the expectation of both the District and the MSBA as defined in the Project Funding Agreement. Additionally, the MSBA assigns a Commissioning Agent to the project who facilitates an intensive quality assurance process and ensures that the new building operates efficiently and as the Town intended. Specifically, the District and its team generate construction documents which are reviewed by the MSBA in accordance with the requirements prescribed in the above-mentioned contracts.
“We are absolutely honored to partner with the Town of Saugus on the planning and construction of the impressive Saugus Middle/High School project,” said John Fish, Chairman and CEO of Suffolk. “We understand this is more than just a construction project or building—this is about the future of the community. We are confident our innovative ‘build smart’ approach and passionate team will deliver a unique project experience that will exceed expectations and become a source of pride for the Town of Saugus.”
“We are extremely excited to be moving forward with the middle-high school project and to welcome Suffolk aboard our project team,” said Building Committee and School Committee Chair Jeannie Meredith. “The detailed design phase of the project, where we are now, is another important step towards the continued prioritization of education within the community, which will benefit the children and residents for decades to come.”
For more information, contact the Town Manager’s office at 781-231-4111.
About The Town of Saugus
The Town of Saugus, Massachusetts, is a family-friendly, historic neighborhood Town located along the north shore, ten miles north of Boston. First settled in 1629, Saugus is home to historic sites, top-tier public services, and a thriving business community. Strong community support, a forward-thinking approach to town government, rich recreational opportunities, affordable choices, and easy access to all the amenities that Boston has to offer – they all contribute to make Saugus a Town where businesses flourish and families make their home.
###