Malabar Window Replacement Project Final Phase Set for June
A three-year window replacement project at Malabar Intermediate School will be completed this summer with new windows for classrooms and the library bordering the rear courtyard.
Last month the board of education authorized treasurer Robert Kuehnle to seek bids for the work.
“I expect that this third phase of Malabar window replacement will not exceed $100,000,” Kuehnle said.
Kuehnle was at Malabar Tuesday morning to meet with architects Caleb Bandy and Umar Mahmood of OHM Advisers in Columbus. They will take measurements and prepare bid specifications for the work that will begin soon after the school year ends in June. OHM also provided the bid specifications for window work the last two years.
In 2017 BC&G Weithman Construction of Bucyrus submitted the winning bid of $169,000 to replace all of the windows seen when facing the front of Malabar – the cafeteria, administrative offices and south side of the classroom wing.
In 2018 J&B Acoustical of Mansfield had the winning bid of $128,750 to replace windows along the north side of the classroom wing.
“We are aware of the need for some roof repair,” Kuehnle said, “but completing the window replacements is a major step toward Malabar continuing to serve this community for a long time.”
Last year a new gymnasium floor was installed to replace the original hardwood court that dated to the construction of Malabar as a high school in 1962. The gym also got a new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
Most of the building is now air-conditioned. The system of security cameras was updated during winter break.
“As I said earlier, we will study the need for some roof repair, but maintenance for coming years should be limited to painting, parking lot repair, HVAC handlers, things like that,” Kuehnle said. “The summer window project will complete major scheduled work at Malabar.”
Last summer engineers from Dynamix Energy Services of Columbus completed a detailed study of the infrastructure and operating systems of all district buildings. They were joined by Stan Jefferson, former Senior High principal and football coach, as the board of education’s representative.
Dynamix’s study of the 172,678-square-foot Malabar building gave a satisfactory rating to the hot water heating, central air, electrical, interior lighting, fire alarm, water and sewage systems.