Council Rock SD reviews schematic design, budget and groundwater concerns for Chancellor Center renovation

The Council Rock School District Facilities Committee heard a schematic design presentation for the Chancellor Center on Thursday, with architects and district staff saying the plan remains preliminary but on budget.

Chairman Seaton Ed Tate said the district is using the $18,118,900 line item from the original RFP as a reference point but that schematic estimates currently sit below that figure. "We're going with the $18,118,900 line item," Tate said, then noted that after removing a $1.2 million phasing allowance the current schematic cost estimate compares favorably to the project target and is in the neighborhood of $16.7 million to $16.9 million.

Perron Main Architects’ Christopher Peters summarized the schematic work, including site investigation, 3-D Matterport scanning and staff programming meetings that shaped room layouts, added conference space and a secure vestibule at the main entry. He said the team performed geotechnical testing and obtained preliminary results earlier that day.

The design team flagged groundwater and water infiltration in the building’s basement as a material risk. Peters said monitoring wells and tracing of downspouts and stormwater lines are under way to determine where the water is coming from and how best to route drainage and waterproofing in the design development phase.

District leaders said the schematic schedule targets design completion in September and a construction start in January, with the board asked in December to approve the base bid and selected options after bids are opened in November. "So we're looking to wrap up design September, and ... start construction in January," Tate said.

Committee members asked detailed questions about structural columns, potential window work and whether the project would require substantial exterior changes; Peters and the architects said they are avoiding extensive exterior modifications and plan to preserve major historic exterior walls where possible. Peters noted a targeted set of window and light-well repairs and limited selective openings where needed.

Board members pressed on contingency planning and cost safeguards. Tate emphasized contingency items remain in the schematic budget, including an approximately $1.4 million contingency (about 10 percent) that the district has retained for unforeseen conditions. The architects said some structural and foundation work will be confirmed once deeper investigation of stone/block foundation conditions is finished.

The committee received the presentation and asked staff to continue refining design documents and geotechnical recommendations; the next major decision point will be board action on construction bids and selection of scope/options expected in December.