The Ripley Chapel Working Group has made a key decision, the selection of a preconstruction management firm that we believe will propel the project forward. We have selected Kaplan Construction of Brookline, MA to provide construction oversight for the project, http://www.kaplanconstructs.com.
Kaplan was recommended to us by our architect, David Torrey, who has worked with them often. Kaplan has done many large and medium sized projects for customers such as churches and temples. They have also worked with a number of colleges and universities. The Working Group thinks they are a very good fit for this project and our congregation.
At this stage, Kaplan will provide preconstruction services as part of a design-build approach to the project (as contrasted with the traditional design-bid-build). This means that Kaplan will join the team during our final design phase. Kaplan will assist David Torrey and the Working Group in anticipating practical construction issues and performing cost estimates concurrent with our deliberations. Kaplan will also help us plan the construction schedule and manage the bids from subcontractors. If all goes as we hope we would contract with Kaplan to be our construction manager during the construction phase.
Please feel free to contact me or anyone of us on the Working Group with your questions and ideas.
Bruce Alexander, Project Leader