Dowagiac Union Schools Invests in Roofing Upgrades

Capital improvement projects are some of highest return-on-the-dollar expenditures an educational institution can make. When done right, they extend the life of facilities, improve the learning environment for students, and demonstrate a commitment to protecting taxpayers’ investment in those structures.

Dowagiac Union Schools in Dowagiac, Michigan, recently undertook a capital project to re-roof portions of five of its facilities: Sister Lakes Elementary, Kincheloe Elementary, Patrick Hamilton Elementary, Justus Gage Elementary, and Dowagiac Union High School. In all, 72,200-square-feet of roof area was in need of upgrading.

The district looked to Wightman’s Architectural Studio to handle design work, manage the bid process, and provide contract administration services for this $600,000, multi-facility job.

“We’ve worked with the Wightman team before on other district projects and knew we could trust them to map out a plan that would help us stay within budget and on schedule while delivering a top-notch end product,” stated John Juroff, Maintenance Director for Dowagiac Union Schools.

There were several challenges for which to account during the planning process. The design needed to include consideration for how to work around recent mechanical upgrades on three of the buildings. The ductwork stands positioned on the roofs left just 6 to 12 inches of clearance to remove old roofing and insulation and install new materials.

The district also had a solid deadline of having all work completed before the start of the school year. This was complicated by challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. To address this, Wightman included in the bid specifications a monetary bonus if the contractor was able to complete the project before the deadline.

“We appreciated Wightman’s focus on identifying potential issues early in the process. It helped to reduce uncertainty and made things run more smoothly,” Juroff added.

According to Chris Brayak, Regional Manager of Wightman’s Architectural Studio, the commercial roofing contractor on the project, Superior Services RSH Inc. of Lansing, went above and beyond to complete the project early.

“Superior Services worked extended days and on the weekend. They also procured materials before supply chain shortages began occurring. Their attention to the client’s timeline and to the unique circumstances presented by the pandemic was integral to the success of this project,” Brayak stated.

Work included removal of old insulation and a variety of roofing surfaces on the five buildings, including tar and gravel roofs that were over 50 years old. All of this was replaced with a durable PVC roofing membrane product and 6 inches of insulation that brings these facilities up to code.

“The impact of these improvements goes well beyond the structural integrity of the facilities. It will help the district save money in the long run through increased energy efficiency, and provide for the safety and comfort of the students and teachers who spend hundreds of hours every year in these buildings,” stated Brayak.

Other recent capital projects Wightman has spearheaded for Michigan schools include re-roofing. door replacement, site improvements and HVAC upgrades for Brandywine Community Schools; adding HVAC to stem labs, converting gang style restrooms to gender-neutral restrooms, replacing door and window headers and flashings, and repairing the concrete pool structure at Bridgman Public Schools; preparing roof reports, building assessments, preparing for the reopening of closed schools, and damage assessment for Benton Harbor Area Schools; and conducting a building accident assessment, office and security entrance renovations at two schools for Buchanan Community Schools.

Scope of the Dowagiac re-roofing project:

• Removal and disposal of existing roofing
• Removal of deteriorated insulation and roof edge
• Reflashing of ductwork at all wall penetrations
• Installation of new insulation, PVC roofing, roof edge, termination bars, and roof drains

Wightman services provided:

• Planning and architectural design
• Bid administration services
• Contract administration services including construction oversight