Platte County School District

Bond Program Progress Update

(updated February 2023)

Each month at our Board of Education meetings, project managers for our 2021 Bond Program projects, will provide an update on construction projects taking place throughout the District.

February 2023 Update

At the February meeting, Darren Lee with McCown Gordon, reviewed construction progress on Platte Purchase Middle School project.

At the Platte Purchase Middle School Project, interior construction finishes are continuing in the gym, locker room, commons area, kitchen and administration. Drying in of the classroom wings is nearing completion and crews have been working on overhead and in-wall mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-in in these areas along with layout and installation of metal stud walls.  Work on site continues as weather permits with final grading and sidewalks. Athletic field areas are ready for the asphalt, track surfacing, and artificial turf as soon as spring weather arrives.  Rooftop mechanical units for half of the building are installed along with main electrical switchgear.  Permanent power will be turned on following the setting of the building’s transformer by the electricity provider.

January 2023 Update

At the January meeting, Darren Lee with McCown Gordon, reviewed construction progress on Platte Purchase Middle School project.

At the Platte Purchase Middle School Project, construction progress is continuing in the gym, locker room and commons area, and repair work is 100% complete. Work on site is taking shape with completion of the right-of-way work including striping and crosswalk lights. The football field is ready for turf to be installed in 2 to 3 weeks with the asphalt track to follow this spring. Roofing is installed in the gym, locker rooms, band/vocal, and commons, and moving into the administration area. Interior finishes including paint and equipment are happening in the gym, locker rooms, flex performance and commons areas. Drywall is being installed in the commons area and the classroom areas are being fitted with metal studs and in-wall electrical/plumbing. 

December 2022 Update

At the December meeting, Matt St. Louis with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, presented the final construction update on the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project, and Darren Lee with McCown Gordon, reviewed construction progress on Platte Purchase Middle School project.

November 2022 Update

At the November meeting, Matt St. Louis with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, reviewed construction progress on the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project, and Brian Roth with McCown Gordon, reviewed construction progress on Platte Purchase Middle School project.

At the Platte County High School Phase One Project, finishing touches, final inspections, punch lists and training are underway. The project is on track to turnover as planned on December 1, 2022. Along with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners and Incite Design Studio, the District will be hosting a ribbon cutting and open house of the PCHS Phase I Rebuild project on Thursday, December 8 from 5:30-7:30 pm.

At the Platte Purchase Middle School Project, construction progress is continuing in the gym, locker room, and commons while repair work is taking place in the classroom areas. Roofing is complete in the locker room and flex performance space and will continue in the gym and commons area. Air barrier and brick veneer continues at the southern side of the building. Interior stud walls are taking shape in the administration area while overhead rough-in of piping and conduits continue in the same area as well as the commons Parking lot base is nearly 50% complete. The football and track areas are ongoing with utilities, curbs, and sidewalks with turf be installed before the end of the year pending weather.

October 2022 Update

At the October meeting, Matt St. Louis with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, reviewed construction progress on the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project, and Darren Lee with McCown Gordon, reviewed construction progress on Platte Purchase Middle School project.

Over the next 3 weeks at the Platte County High School Phase One Project, landscaping and asphalt will wrap up, completing site work for the project. Inside the classroom wing, crews are working on punch list. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing trades are pushing for final inspections this month. Testing and balancing of the HVAC systems have begun and the gym floor is at 75% installed. The project is on track to complete as planned on December 1, 2022. A ribbon cutting and open house is planned for our community on December 8, from 5:30-7:30pm. Practices will begin in the new fieldhouse and wrestling room in December, with events scheduled to begin in the new facility starting mid-December; new classrooms will open for second semester.

At the Platte Purchase Middle School Project, masonry block is completed in the gym, and the structural steel joists have been set. Roof blocking, roof decking, and roofing will begin over the next few weeks in this area. Air barrier and brick veneer continues at the eastern side of the building. Roofing has been completed at the flex performance space and the locker rooms, and roof blocking is ongoing throughout the kitchen/commons area and has begun at the single story classroom wing. Overhead rough-in of piping and conduits continue in multiple areas of the building. Right-of-way work off of Platte Purchase Drive and the football and track areas is ongoing with utilities, curbs, and sidewalks. Asphalt will begin in the latter part of October.

September 2022 Update

At the September meeting, Matt St. Louis with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, reviewed construction progress on the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project, and Darren Lee with McCown Gordon, reviewed construction progress on Platte Purchase Middle School project.

Over the last month, there has been great progress at the Platte County High School Phase One Project, both inside the building and across the site. In the classroom wing, punch list work has begun. Graphics, bleachers, casework, and other finish items will soon be completed, while mechanical, electrical, and plumbing trades work towards final inspections. Site work will wrap up with remaining landscaping and hardscapes in the next 30-45 days. The project is on track to finish at the beginning of December 2022. A ribbon cutting and open house is being planned for December 8.

At the Platte Purchase Middle School Project, construction progress has resequenced to the gym, locker room, and commons area, as the team works through some design details in the classroom area. Masonry block is wrapping up in the gym, and crews will start installing air barrier and brick in this area. The concrete slab on grade has been poured in the commons area, and installation of the roofing will ramp up for the flex performance space in the next month. Right-of-way work off of Platte Purchase Drive and the football and track areas have begun, and the team hopes to have all rock and asphalt placed on drives and parking lots by the end of this month.

August 2022 Update

At the August meeting, Matt St. Louis with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, reviewed construction progress on the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project, and Darren Lee with McCown Gordon, reviewed construction progress on Platte Purchase Middle School project.

At the Platte County High School Phase One Project, the Siegrist Elementary parking lot renovation is now complete and open to thru traffic. Crews are continuing to work on the punch list and landscaping over the next few weeks. Site concrete, handrails, and building façade work will carry into the fall months. The classroom wing is wrapping up and punch list crews are moving in. In the commons, lights and flooring have begun, and kitchen equipment final connections are underway. In the athletic wing, prep work has begun for the gymnasium floor, scheduled for later this month. The project is on track to finish in December 2022.

At the Platte Purchase Middle School Project, construction has made great progress. Masonry block is continuing to drive the boat and is nearly 80% complete. The block structure will finish out on the two-story classroom, and then attention will focus on installing brick around the exterior of the building. Concrete trades are inside working on slab on grade in the administration and Project Lead The Way areas, and then will move to the locker rooms, commons, and cafeteria in the next three to four weeks. The power and water to the building is currently being routed from the main feeds from the street into the building. Next week focus will turn onto the site and start the right-of-way work off of Platte Purchase Drive and then begin work on the football and track areas.

July 2022 Update

At the July meeting, Matt St. Louis with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, reviewed construction progress on the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project, and Brian Roth with McCown Gordon, reviewed construction progress on Platte Purchase Middle School project.

At the Platte County High School Phase One Project, curb, asphalt, and sidewalks are underway for the campus traffic renovations at Siegrist Elementary, Paxton Center, and the PCHS. Crews are installing window and siding at the athletics wing, and inside the athletics wing, the gym is painted and installation of the basketball goals, volleyball nets, and lights have begun. Painters are working in the locker rooms and weight room. With electric, gas, and power utilities live, the mechanical systems permanent startup process is wrapping up. In the classroom wing, crews are swinging doors and installing bathroom accessories. The project is on schedule to turn over December 1, 2022.

At the Platte Purchase Middle School Project, construction is well underway. The concrete footings that support the masonry walls are fully completed, and the exterior block wall that makes up the majority of the structure is about 50% complete. The hollow core planks that make up the roof structure has begun and is progressing very quickly, and the slab on grade is 2/3 complete and will continue in the gym in the following weeks. The flex performance space will begin to take shape soon by setting of the precast wall panels. The north parking lot is ready for asphalt, and will be followed by the south lot in the next couple of weeks. Work on the football field will begin in the next weeks as well.

June 2022 Update

At the June meeting, Matt St. Louis with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, reviewed construction progress on the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project, and Darren Lee with McCown Gordon, reviewed construction progress on Platte Purchase Middle School project.

At the Platte Purchase Middle School Project, construction is well underway. The footings for the entire building are nearly completed and masonry is following closely behind with nearly a third of the CMU block installed. Under slab plumbing and electrical work has begun in the administration and classroom areas, and the North parking lot is almost ready for the rock base to be installed, followed by asphalt placement. The remainder of the football field is being graded and should soon be complete. Power and fiber loop is currently being installed as is the remaining site storm drainage.

May 2022 Update

At the May meeting, Matt St. Louis with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, reviewed construction progress on the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project, and Darren Lee and Brian Roth with McCown Gordon, reviewed construction progress on Platte Purchase Middle School project.

The Platte County High School Phase One Project continues to progress and is on schedule for a December 2022 finish. At the classroom wing, the exterior façade is nearly complete and sidewalks have started. Inside trades are finishing ceilings, cabinetry, and lighting, and the elevator has been placed.  Over the next month, polished floors, and mechanical finishes will occur.  In the common areas, drywall has started in the cafeteria, and mechanical trades continue to rough in overhead equipment in the lower level.  The locker room masonry is nearly complete, and the gym’s concrete floor was recently poured.  The building's remaining exterior windows will be going in soon, followed by siding.  As soon as the 2021-22 school year finishes, Thomas Drive between Paxton Center and the PCHS main building will be closed for site and traffic improvements. 

At the Platte Purchase Middle School Project, construction is now coming out of the ground. Placement of footings and foundations are approaching 50% complete, and load bearing masonry walls have begun. Site utilities continue with storm and sanitary sewer nearly complete. Preparations for parking lot construction and site lighting conduit is underway, while site water and fire protection lines are about to start. Mass grading is also nearing completion.

April 2022 Update

At the April meeting, Matt St. Louis with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, reviewed construction progress on the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project, and Darren Lee with McCown Gordon, reviewed construction progress on Platte Purchase Middle School project.

The Platte County High School Phase One Project has had great momentum and is on schedule for a December 2022 finish. Permanent power is on and system startups are scheduled. In the classroom wing, crews are working on windows, painting, tile, and resinous flooring. In the next month we will see the elevator installation, ceiling grid, lights, and interior window installation. Work is underway in the commons on insulation and drywall, exterior windows, as well as overhead rough in. Upcoming work includes paint, tile, and metal panels. Over the past month. the locker rooms/weight room roof has been installed, along with underground rough in, concrete slab and interior masonry walls. Windows and overhead mechanical/electrical/plumbing rough in are next. The new gymnasium is wrapping up interior steel erection, while concrete bleachers and track pours are underway.

At the Platte Purchase Middle School Project, final grading and rock base for the building pad has been completed and the footings and foundations have started. Site utilities continue with the onsite sanitary sewer now complete, and the storm sewer installation in progress. Underground site electrical conduits are also being installed. Mass grading will continue for the remainder of the site.

February 2022 Update

At the February meeting, Matt St. Louis with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, reviewed construction progress on the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project.

At the Platte County High School Phase One Project, the classroom wing drywall finishers are underway and mechanical trades continue installing overhead equipment. Mechanical rough-in has started in the central utility plant as well as the kitchen. Iron workers are wrapping up in the gymnasium complex, and the framing contractor has half of the building enclosed. The masonry crew is making good progress, and windows will start going in next week. The concession stand and baseball stadium are getting the final touches before turning over to the Pirates for spring training. The project is on schedule to finish in early December 2022.

At the New Middle School #2 Project, permits for sitework have been approved and construction teams have mobilized at the site to begin site prep and grading.

January 2022 Update

At the January meeting, Ben Vandereu with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, reviewed construction progress on the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project.

The trades are bundled up, and the Platte County High School Phase One Project is making headway. Carpenters are framing interior walls inside the classroom wing, while mechanical trades are right behind them preparing for drywall. Roofing and exterior walls continue enclosing the commons area. The steel structure will wrap up this month at the gymnasium complex. Crews continue installing lighting, fencing, and netting at the new baseball field in preparation for spring training. The project continues to be on schedule to turnover this coming December. Click here to see the most recent time lapse video of the project.

The Board approved bid package #3 for the New Middle School #2 Project. With the approval of this final bid package, the District will begin construction in the coming weeks. Important to note, the overall bids for this facility came in approximately 14% over the original budget, due to rising construction costs, volatile material prices, and current supply chain issues. The District has worked with our construction management and design teams to address cost challenges and strategies to continue to construct a quality middle school that meets the program intent while identifying alternative funding options to support the site renovations at Barry and Pathfinder. The adjusted plan moves forward with building the New Middle School with some cost adjustments and development of future phases, and budgeting the Barry and Pathfinder Elementary site improvements through annual capital improvement budgets. The interior renovations at Barry will continue to be implemented over the next several years to match the work that was completed this year in the Early Childhood and 5th grade classrooms.

December 2021 Update

At the December meeting, Matt St. Louis with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, reviewed construction progress on the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project.

The PCHS Phase One Rebuild Project is progressing nicely with much of the steel frame up. PCHS students had an opportunity to sign the last few of beams that will top out the gym structure. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing trades are ready to begin working inside the recently enclosed classroom wing. The commons area has most of the concrete slabs poured and both the carpenters and roofers are underway. The steel structure continues at the locker rooms and gymnasium complex. The baseball field artificial turf is complete as crews work to finish hardscapes and fencing for Spring training. The project is on track to finish as planned in December of 2022. Click here to see a time lapse video of the project.

The New Middle School #2 project teams along with the District administration continue to evaluate subcontractor bids for the building package with the intent to present the final guaranteed maximum price to the Board in January. Sitework should commence in January following permitting and approval from the City of Kansas City.

November 2021 Update

At the November meeting, Matt St. Louis with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, reviewed construction progress on the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project.

The push has started to get areas at the PCHS Phase One project enclosed for winter. Roofing prep at the classroom wing and exterior walls are underway. The steel frame has started for the common areas. The gymnasium complex precast wall panels are set, and concrete slabs are being poured throughout the building. Irrigation and sod has been installed at the new baseball field ahead of the field turf next month. As fencing and concessions area finish this winter, the field will be ready for action this coming season. Overall, crews are on schedule to finish the project as planned by December of 2022. Click here to see a time lapse video of the project.

The New Middle School #2 project officially broke ground on November 17, 2021, during an afternoon ceremony at the project site. The groundbreaking included PCR-3's 8th grade cheerleaders, Pathfinder Elementary Girl Scouts, Mayor Quinton Lucas, Councilman Dan Fowler, Barry School student Jack Dillingham, District leadership, the design and construction teams from Hollis & Miller Architects and McCown Gordon Construction, and several patrons. Progress updates will be posted monthly under the Strategic Plan channel of the District website here.

The overall project completion is targeted for May of 2023 to open for the 2023-24 school year. The District will soon be requesting public input and engaging a committee to recommend a name for the new school.

October 2021 Update

At the October meeting, Matt St. Louis with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, reviewed construction progress on the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project.

At the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project, the classroom wing steel frame is up, and over the next month we will see the cafeteria and commons area erected. Crews are standing the precast panels for the gymnasium complex, the elevator shaft is up and FEMA shelter walls will be poured out in the next few weeks. The baseball field fencing is going in ahead of sod and turf. The project is on track to finish as planned in December of 2022. Click on the video here to see a time lapse of the project.

The structural precast/hollow plank bid package for the New Middle School #2 project was approved at this month's meeting. Construction of the site package is expected to begin in late October/early November, and a final bid package for the remaining scopes of work will be brought for approval at the December meeting. The overall project completion is targeted for May of 2023. Please join us for the project groundbreaking on Wednesday, November 10 at 4pm at the jobsite. See attached invitation for details.

September 2021 Update

At the September meeting, Matt St. Louis with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, reviewed construction progress on the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project.

The crews at the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project are making great progress. The new classroom wing structural steel is going up, and the concrete FEMA shelter walls are underway. The precast wall panels for the new gymnasium complex will be erected in the next month, and trades are working to prepare the baseball field. The project has great momentum and is on track to finish as planned in December of 2022. Click on the video here to see a time lapse of the project.

The design of the New Middle School #2 project is now complete and the first construction package for sitework was approved at the September meeting. Please join us for the project groundbreaking on Wednesday, November 10 at 4pm at the jobsite. See attached invitation for details.

August 2021 Update

At the August meeting, Chris Ebert with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, reviewed construction progress on the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project, and Michelle Chavey and Melissa Brown with Hollis + Miller Architects presented a design update on the New Middle School #2 project.

The PCHS Rebuild Phase One project is beginning to take more shape as concrete foundations and walls are well underway. The precast wall panels for the new gymnasium are being poured offsite and the steel for the classroom wing is in fabrication. Site utility work including storm sewer, water lines, and underground electrical is continuing, and temporary roads and parking are finished. After a rainy start, work is picking up momentum and is nearly back on schedule, with project completion planned for December of 2022.

The New Middle School #2 project has reached a level of design completion and is now in the stage of creating construction documents to be bid later this fall. The new facility will open in August 2023, and will be a dynamic space for learning, designed around concepts of future-focused flexibility and community support. 

July 2021 Update

At the July meeting, Matt St. Louis, project manager with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, reviewed construction progress on the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project.

The PCHS Rebuild Phase One project site is taking shape as excavation crews worked around more rain this past month. The new gymnasium complex and locker room basement level is nearly cut, and the classroom wing is at subgrade. Excavation for the new baseball field and surrounding sports fields has begun and is the next area of focus, with site utility work including underground storm sewer continuing. Concrete rebar is set for delivery and the contractor will soon begin building concrete walls. Structural steel is in fabrication, and efforts to install temporary roads and parking will begin and finish over the next month, before the start of school. 

The New Middle School #2 project is wrapping up the overall design of the new learning environments this week as they complete Design Development.  Next week, the team will be turning its attention to refining and documenting project details in order to bid sitework and building packages this Fall, in anticipation of starting construction later this year. 

June 2021 Update

At the June meeting, Matt St. Louis, project manager with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, reviewed construction progress on the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project, Patrick Smith, designer with incite Design Studio, reviewed design progress of the PCHS project, and Megan Barnes, designer with Hollis + Miller Architects presented an overview of the design development of the New Middle School #2 project.

After a rainy start, construction crews are wrapping up site clearing, demolition and set-up at the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project. Site utilities and excavation of the basement level as well as sports fields are underway. Over the next month, grading at the building and sport fields and site utilities work will continue, and concrete foundation work will begin. Remaining construction packages (interior work, roofing, mechanical, electrical, plumbing) will be out to bid in the coming weeks.

The New Middle School #2 project is currently moving through Design Development, where the team is focused on refining elements of the supportive environments that will work to engage learners and staff both inside the building and out. With the media center acting as a connecting hub, neighborhoods of classrooms are being designed to enhance collaboration for students and staff through space and flexible furniture.

May 2021 Update

At the May meeting, Matt St. Louis, project manager with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, reviewed construction progress on the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project. Following the groundbreaking ceremony in early May, crews have started site clearing and demolition, as well as electrical and sanitary utilities work. Over the next month, grading at the building and sport fields will begin, while electrical, sanitary and storm utilities work will continue.

The New Middle School #2 project recently finished the Schematic Design phase and has transitioned into Design Development. Over the next few months, the focus will shift to fine-tuning the development of the floorplan while layering in additional interior and exterior details that support the overall vision. Input from the staff remains invaluable during this phase as the team collaboratively works to further personalize the building’s character and refine the learning experiences for students, educators, and the community within the building, the site, and its surroundings.

At the May meeting, the Board also approved a resolution to authorize the District's underwriter, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, to take all necessary actions needed to sell the District’s Series 2021 Bonds to investors (sale is tentatively scheduled for June 17, 2021).