Originally, the concept revamp for the old Lehigh Acres Middle school campus built in 1986-1987 was a $4 million project that included some new carpet and paint.

Since then it has taken on an entirely new depth of renovation for the school from the ground up.  

“It is substantial what we have done in there and I think you all will be very impressed,” Construction Project Management Director Scott Reichenbacher said of the old LAMS campus, which is now part of the Veterans Park Academy for the Arts renovation project.

The School Board of Lee County approved last week a total project cost, Veterans Park Academy for the Arts renovation phase 2A, for $18,697,687.

On Jan. 11, the school board approved the phase one total project cost at $17,693,271 for the VPAA renovation project. There was a revision on March 8, adding an additional $55,000, which was added to the total project cost for the master site planning. Subsequent to that, Reichenbacher said on March 8 they found undisclosed issues in the school, such as permitting issues and code violations above ceiling.

“We are requiring another $949,415.11 to support, which roughly equates to 8 percent increase over the original construction cost,” he said. “Which is not typical in a renovation project.”

Reichenbacher said he is specifically asking for money for VPAA, the old LAMS building renovation.

When the fabric panels in the cafeteria were removed, it revealed that they were wood.

“When I was ready to put new panels up to match the school’s theme, I’ve got to get rid of that. Some of the electrical systems that were wired a certain way that may have met code back in the day, it no longer is. When you touch it you have to update it,” Reichenbacher said. “The PVC piping, although it works, is brittle. We are creating all these new science labs. These are things that you cannot see when you go in there and you do a walk with the subs and do a general concept of what your work plan is. You open the ceiling up and things get exposed and that is what this additional funding is doing, getting us to the point where things are corrected.”

He said the school will still open in August because they have already started on some items using project contingency.

“We bled down project contingency. We added other items to the tune of $357,000 of work in buyout savings. It means we did not have to pay for it. We are repurposing that towards this ask. The original value was $1.5 million in work to repair all of these deficiencies,” he said to a value of $917,000. “I still have an owners contingency that carries me through the day, so if there is anything that pops up, about $400,000 will cover things until the end.”

He explained that the money that is being used is the $24 million that was originally approved by the board to fulfil the renovation.

“For construction of the old LAMS and the arts was a value of $24 million entirely. Old LAMS started out initially when approved for $4 million. Then for our construction negotiation we figured about $8 million when the board had a desire to do more than just a splash of coat and paint. The GMP was $12.5 million roughly. Part of that $24 million was shifted to support the renovation of the old LAMS building, which now leaves me with depleted funding with the potential theater,” Reichenbacher said.

Board member Gwyn Gittens said she requested that they look at VPAA with overall project with three phases, renovation of old LAMS, the performing arts center and the renovations, or changes, that are needed for the VPAA K-5 building.

“If we sat down and said what do we need to bring VPAA to the point where we can revise the old building and add the performing arts center. Things keep coming up. I’m not against changes. Why can’t we just sit down and say phase one, two, three and phase four and what order are they going and how much is it going to cost us,” she said.

Reichenbacher said the first phase is always the design phase, which they are currently completing.

“Your plan is being managed, that is why planning came back and asked for the $55,000, so they can engage in a site master plan. That would encompass everything that we are doing,” he explained. “Now this particular ask is for unforeseen construction deficiencies in the old LAMS building that I need to get the work done now, engaged to have it ready for opening.”

Reichenbacher said there is a grand master plan, which the planning department has to present to the board in terms of the overall development and master plan concept of that whole campus.

“I am still designing the theater building. Those drawings are just about done and are getting ready to go out to bid,” he said. “It doesn’t mean that we are going to move forward with it at this point until obviously the master plan is brought forth to you guys ,which will show all those other pieces of the puzzle.”

Reichenbacher said he is sitting in the easy chair until the master plan gets vetted and brought forth to the school board with academics having a chance to look at it, as well as planning, the school board and the superintendent.

“When you tell me to take that next step, you will approve it and fund it then we will go to that next step. Right now I am creating drawings for the theater and that’s it. I am opening up the old LAMS building for those 1035 seats and that is it,” Reichenbacher said. “Then the master plan will have to be brought before you to describe that vision for that entire campus. Then it is your call if you move forward or not.”

The theater will cost about $14 million.