In an “extensive discussion” to secure a plan to complete the construction of the Elings Center for Creative Learning, Liberty Mutual Insurance now has “full responsibility” for completing the project, with RJT Construction, Inc. overseeing the process.
“TELACU will remain as the completion contractor,” the district’s Chief Operation Manager, Steve Venz wrote in an update last month to DPHS staff, students and family, on StudentSquare, “but only in a role similar to a subcontractor, operating under the direct management of RJT Construction and Liberty Mutual.”
The Career Technical Education East Building is an upcoming facility that will serve as an extension of the Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy. The building’s construction was initially meant to be completed in September 2022, but it has faced water intrusion issues. Earlier this year, the Santa Barbara Unified District terminated their original contract with TELACU Construction Management due to their failure to comply with contractual obligations.
According to Venz, this decision was made after a physical review of the building and several meetings with the district’s attorneys, Principal Bill Woodard, Architect Mat Gradias, SBUSD Project Manager Brett Coulter, Venz, and DPEA leadership, which includes Amir Abo-Shaeer, Emily Shaeer, and DPEA Foundation CEO Gary Simpson.
On February 20, the district put up a bid for construction companies. Liberty Mutual picked it up as a bond company due to the liabilities, assuming full responsibility for completing the project under a Takeover Agreement, ensuring both CTE buildings “meet the highest standards”. Venz also stated that RJT Construction, Inc. will oversee the process on behalf of the Surety, “providing direct oversight and coordination with the District”.
“The subcontractor who’s doing the work is basically the one that we were looking at to begin with, which is Tarlton,” Venz said. “Tarlton was also brought out as one of the two companies that did the testing on the building for the water intrusion, so they also know what’s going on.”
A major change with this new setup is that the district’s contract is now with Liberty Mutual, while it used to be more direct with TELACU Construction Management.
“Essentially, the leverage that we have is much different than what it was,” Venz said. “We have the ability, if we see something that’s not being done properly, then we can actually direct them to do it.”
This new work pathway has led to progress being made for the building’s construction so far.
“You could see that it’s moving much faster than it was before,” Venz said. “We took off all of the siding to the building. We still want to take the remaining plaster off, so we’re working with them on that, and then we’re starting the process of all the corrections, and then moving forward.”
The district seems optimistic about this process, with Venz saying the district’s attorney has “never seen a bond company not follow through properly with the construction once they pick it up.”
Despite the setbacks, Venz said it is crucial to make the building last.
“It’s not about speed, but it’s about doing it right so it lasts 100 plus years, the way it was designed and what you all want for that building to be,” Venz said.
***Story updated with significant rewrites on 4/24
