Tyler ISD names construction manager for $198 million high school renovation project, approves phase one of Rose Stadium seating plan

Published 9:46 pm Monday, May 15, 2017

Tyler ISD has selected a construction manager at risk for its $198 million high school renovation project.

The district voted to approve entering a contract with WRL General Contractors at the district’s May board of trustees meeting Monday.

The administration recommended WRL after a two-step process, which included a submission of qualifications and an oral interview.

Once associated costs and a guaranteed maximum price are developed, the board will return to approve the contract amendment.

Director of Facilities Tim Loper said the most important factor in their decision was whether a contractor lived in or near the district.

Other factors were experience working with public schools, staffing plan and history of meeting budgets.

The selection committee decided to go with WRL for both high schools due to WRL’s experience, quality of staff and their relationship with Tyler ISD, Loper said.

Loper said going with a single construction manager also will make managing subcontractors easier and more cost effective for WRL and the district.

Con-Real, Jackson Construction and RPR & HRH A Joint Venture also were interviewed.

The board also approved moving forward with a $419,280 project for Phase One of the Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium seating improvements, with a bid of $388,000 from RPR General Contractors, which will address seating, safety and ADA compliance issues. This will also include PBK Architect’s professional fees of $31,280 for master plan design.

Phase Two will include a renovation of the press box area, Phase Three will enlarge the field house and Phase Four will replace the synthetic turn, add 800-meter lanes to the track and possibly expand parking.

These improvements will be paid for out of the district’s funds for special projects, not the recently-approved bond package.

Other Business

The board also approved a memorandum of understanding with North Lamar ISD for the use of 23 portable buildings, which were previously in use by Van ISD after a May 2015 tornado. Van ISD has finished its reconstruction and no longer needs the portables.

North Lamar ISD approached the district after two of their buildings were deemed structurally unsound. The portables would allow them classroom space to immediately replace the buildings.

The board discussed a potential drug-testing program for students in athletics.

Special Recognitions

Elementary Student of the Month – Bryant Mackey, a second-grade student at Owens Elementary School.

Secondary Student of the Month – Ryan Cowart, an eighth-grade student at Hubbard Middle School.

Tyler ISD is proud to announce John Tyler High School senior Leslie Espiricueta as the 2017 AVID National Summer Institute Speaker for the Dallas National AVID Summer Institute. This is the second time John Tyler High School has had a student selected among more than 1,000 submissions.

Tyler ISD and TISD-TV Best of Show winner of the second annual District-wide Rising Star Student Film Festival – “Traveling Light,” by students in the practicum audio/visual technology class at the Career & Technology Center:

Jonathan Southern, Robert E. Lee High School

Michael Chandler, Robert E. Lee High School

Ricardo Gomez, John Tyler High School

Victor Del Angel, John Tyler High School

Twitter: @TMT_Cory