Letter to the Editor Shepaug vs Roxbury

Consolidated Comparison –Shepaug vs Roxbury Site

In February 2006 the proposal by SLAM for the consolidated school at Shepaug had a Total cost of $29,805,436 including $2,500,000 to upgrade the High School septic system. The total for the Roxbury site this time is $27,365,840 without the cost of the land.

A preliminary comparison of the two SLAM proposals indicates some significant changes. The septic system at Shepaug was budgeted at $1.5 Mil, while at the Roxbury site it is only $647,000. The most interesting fact is the drop in construction costs from $209 to $180 per square foot that is a 14% reduction. In contrast, when trying to save $4 Mil in June 2006, SLAM raised the new construction cost from $200 to $250 or 25%. The renovation cost went from $165 to $200 or 21%. The subsequent savings went from $4 Mil to less than $2 Mil and the referendum failed.

How can new construction go down 14% in 2007?

Is the $180 per Sq Ft believable?

Observations:
At Shepaug_______ In Roxbury
Open level areas ___Woods and rock ledge
Road in exists_____ New road required
Enter parking lot___ New Bridge over the Wetlands
Septic under track__ Septic built over rock ledge
Design unrestricted_ Must be 3 stories, 1 in basement
Reviewed by BC___ Presented to Board only
No Zoning review __ Zoning review mandatory
No Wetlands review_Wetlands clearance required
No land purchase___ Binding contract advisable
________________3 story elevator

I am an electrical estimator for a firm that prepares conceptual construction budgets for Architects engaged in the design of public and private schools. The current average cost for a new school is $200.00/sq. ft. to $250.00/sq.ft. It would seem highly unlikely that the consolidated school on the Roxbury site could be built for $180.00/sq.ft.

It is rumored there is currently a difference of over $1.5 Million between the BOE appraiser’s value of the land and the price set by the seller.

You can make your own judgment as to whether a consolidated school can be built cheaper in Roxbury than at Shepaug.

For more information, please visit http://www.buildtosuitnow.com/

Page. Westervelt
Roxbury, CT