Project Overview

The Jones High School project was a comprehensive $40 million multi-phased construction management initiative to completely rebuild a functioning high school campus while maintaining educational operations. Completed in March 2005, this ambitious project delivered 214,000 square feet of modern educational space across nine buildings, transforming the entire campus while students continued their education. The project demonstrated exceptional coordination between construction activities, environmental remediation, temporary facilities management, and phased implementation to create a state-of-the-art learning environment with minimal disruption to the educational mission.

Project Scope

• Complete demolition of the 1953 school structure

• Construction of 214,000 SF of new classroom space across nine buildings

• Development of a temporary modular high school campus during construction

• Environmental remediation of the existing site

• Construction of major retention pond and site drainage improvements

• Fast-track construction of a cafeteria/hurricane shelter

• Development of a central energy plant

• Construction of specialized educational facilities including science labs, computer labs, gymnasium, media center, and auditorium

• Complete site work including parking lots, landscaping, and a courtyard with gazebo

• Specialized construction of greenhouse, shadehouse, and maintenance facilities

Key Features:

• High-Impact Hurricane Shelters: Both the cafeteria and gymnasium were designed as high-impact hurricane shelters with specialized Load Master Roofing Systems capable of withstanding “Missile Impact,” emergency generators, water storage, and hurricane impact windows

• Specialized Educational Spaces: Purpose-built science teaching labs with Bunsen burners, acid-resistant countertops, chemical storage units, chemical wash stations, and ventilated chemical hoods

• Technology Integration: Advanced computer labs with CATV wiring and modern workstations throughout the campus

• Audio Enhancement Systems: Specialized audio systems in all 58 classrooms allowing teachers to project lectures via cordless speaker systems

• Multi-Purpose Facilities: 780-seat auditorium with reclining row seating, professional stage lighting, sound systems, and support areas

• Modern Athletic Facilities: Gymnasium with mezzanine for equipment storage, upper-level seating, wood flooring, and sports medicine center

• Technology-Enriched Media Center: State-of-the-art library with computer workstations, retractable projection screens, and modern library features

Construction Approach

1. Multi-Phase Implementation: Strategic three-phase approach (A, B, C) allowed the school to remain operational throughout the entire campus reconstruction

2. Fast-Track Construction: Accelerated construction of critical facilities like the cafeteria, completed in just five months to meet school operational needs

3. Temporary Campus Solutions: Creation of a “portable city” to house students during construction phases, with careful coordination of relocations

4. Tilt-Up Construction: Utilization of tilt-up concrete wall panels to expedite construction timelines and enhance building durability

5. Comprehensive Project Controls: Multiple estimate types including schematic GMP, projected phased cost estimates, and final Guaranteed Maximum Price estimates

6. Value Engineering: Successful implementation of value engineering approaches that allowed funds to be returned to the owner after project completion