By Peggy Laizure
Moore Norman Technology Center awarded a $16 million bid to Atlas General Contractors, L.C.C. to build the Information Technology Building on the Franklin Road Campus.
Atlas was the low bid of seven with $16,663,000 to construct the building, with north site improvements, the second floor buildout, renovate the central plant, upgrade equipment and a classroom wing.
The two-story building will be built on 10 acres on the Franklin Road Campus, Norman, and will be built using revenue bonds which will be at no extra cost to taxpayers. The building will be built with Build America Bonds, a part of the Federal Stimulus package.
Superintendent John Hunter said a lot of time was spent reviewing and getting the bids ready to make a recommendation. When they looked at the price of the second floor addition and realized it was $371,000, they decided to go ahead and add it to the plans.
The IT building is more than 74,000 square foot and the cost comes to $172 a foot.
"The timing on this couldn't be any better," said Darrell McAllister with JHBR Architects.
McAllister also said that Atlas was constructing three other school projects for his firm and they are doing a good job.
Renovations to the central plant which houses the center's heating and air units, will pay dividends for many years to go, Hunter said.
Hunter said the project was right on schedule. Notice to proceed will be given March 18 and the classrooms should be ready for use by July 2011.
