New, old EPHS paths converge; demolition stalled over utility concerns

First phase of new construction passes 75 percent complete; time capsule found in old building

By Mike Rego
Posted 7/14/21

EAST PROVIDENCE — The paths of the new and old East Providence High School buildings converged over the last week, the new well on its way to be completed in time for the start of the 2021-22 …

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New, old EPHS paths converge; demolition stalled over utility concerns

First phase of new construction passes 75 percent complete; time capsule found in old building

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — The paths of the new and old East Providence High School buildings converged over the last week, the new well on its way to be completed in time for the start of the 2021-22 term in late August/early September of this year while the demolition of the old stalled a bit due to concerns over utility lines.

The new EPHS Building Committee and the School Committee each held their monthly meetings late week, during which updates on the $189.5 million project were provided.

Construction of the first phase of the new EPHS complex — the main school building proper, the athletics stadium and greenhouse — is considered 75.4 percent complete, according to lead representative of the district’s owner project manager, Sam Bradner of The Peregrine Group, and Joel Monteiro, Chairman of the School Committee and Building Committee co-chair along with Ward 3 City Councilor Nate Cahoon.

The percentile is based on operations completed at of July 1.

More new EPHS notes
An average of some 250 employees of the various trades have been on site daily through the end of June. Commissioning, the review and testing of various finished components of the project, is in the process of being done by the firm the district hired, Stephen Turner Inc.

The installation of fixtures, furniture and equipment (FF&E) was anticipated to begin in the upper floors of the four-story building last week and will continue throughout the remainder of July and into August. Whiteboards and interactive technologies have already been placed in a number of classrooms and learning spaces. Seats in the auditorium have been delivered and are being readied for installation.

The greenhouse and abutting garden, to be used for various curricula in the Career and Tech Education program, are in the process of being finished at their locations on the south side of the property near the line with adjacent Providence Country Day.

Following the deluge of rain to start July, Mr. Monteiro said contractors and committee members alike were pleased to see drainage on the recently completed artificial turf field and running track inside the sports stadium was working as designed.

Installation of engraved bricks in the pathway to the front entrance of the new school is just about completed. The effort was led by the Friends of Townie Athletics Organization. A total of 1,010 bricks were sold. All proceeds from the sale, aptly named “Leave your mark…Pave the way!,” will be earmarked to support school sports through the district.

In addition, Mr. Monteiro said infrared scans of the roof and envelope of the new building will be taking place at intervals over the next several weeks, checking the energy efficiency of the structure. However, some pieces of glass either have yet to be put into place or sealed as larger equipment continues to be moved in and out of those spaces during the construction/installation processes.

And also of note, the committees were told the percentage of Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) participation on the new EPHS remains at 13, still above the projected 10 percent at the start of the project.

Old EPHS notes
The district met its mark of turning over a vacated current EPHS structure to the project’s lead contractor, Gilbane, by the start of July, but the expected razing of the building stalled over concern about gas lines leading into the property.

Some three lines were identified, two of which are believed to dated and out of service, Mr. Monteiro explained. The third line is considered at the moment to be active and would need to be turned off.

National Grid has been contacted to evaluate the situation, however as of early last week, declined to commit to a specific date to conduct the inspection. Grid gave a range of between Wednesday, July 14, through Thursday, July 29, as when it could perform the necessary checks of two old gas lines and potentially cap the “live” one, Mr. Monteiro added.

In the meantime, Gilbane is overseeing the abatement of the main portion of 70-year-old existing structure. The majority of the old building, completed in 1952, was anticipated to contain materials (i.e. asbestos) now deemed as contaminants.

When it can, demolition, by the J.R. Vinagro Corporation which is also handling razing for the Henderson Bridge reconstruction effort in city, is expected to start on the approximately 20-year old addition closely abutting Pawtucket Avenue. The addition was built to more modern standards and does not need the same type of remediation as its older cousin.

Time capsule
Several residents riding past the old high school in recent weeks noticed a gaping hole in front near the main entrance of the building down the stairway leading from Pawtucket Avenue. They wondered why it was there, if demolition had already started.

Well, the mystery was solved last week.

As the old EPHS was being readied to be demolished, District Facilities and Security Director Tony Feola had a request for the contractors: to save what he believed to be a two-inch slab of granite dated with its opening in 1952. The piece was located to the left of the doorway leading to the building.

Unbeknownst to all involved in the task, Mr. Feola explained, was that the two-inch slab was actually a granite block weighing in at well over a ton and serving as a true “cornerstone” of the old building.

Upon further inspection, a time capsule was discovered inside. The capsule, approximately 24”x12”x6” copper box, is welded shut, completely sealed, according to Mr. Feola, who displayed it to both committees last week.

The capsule, he added, is being “locked away and secured” until the administration and the School Committee determine how and when it should be opened. Superintendent Kathryn Crowley suggested the district reach out to specialists in the field, possibly from one of the area universities, to advice on best practices.

As for the granite block, Mr. Feola said it, too, is in storage awaiting the determination off a suitable spot for it to be placed on the refurbished grounds at a later date.

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MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.