Contractors report permitting and bidding progressing on Lenoir City intermediate middle school project

At the July 23 meeting, MDI and Denard provided a construction update on the intermediate middle school project. The teams said permitting reviews have generated comments (state fire marshal, environmental and local permit officials) and that architects and engineers have submitted revised documents in response.

MDI said it has received multiple subcontractor bids and is in the process of vetting pricing and scope to ensure value and alignment with project documents. The presenters said they are reviewing potential substitutions and design iterations (lighting packages and other scope items) to find cost-effective solutions and to avoid surprises. They said fencing is being installed on site and that, once subcontractor pricing vetting completes, the teams will meet to finalize scope and pricing and then return to the board with contract numbers and recommendations.

Board members asked procedural questions and thanked the presenters for ongoing updates. No formal contract award was approved at this meeting; the report was informational and focused on permitting and bid evaluation status.