Pittsylvania County School Board taps renovation companies

By John Crane

Published: November 11, 2008

The Pittsylvania County School Board has picked two firms to revamp the county’s four high schools.

Gretna-based Blair Construction Inc. will renovate Chatham and Gretna high schools, while Mount Airy, N.C.-based J.S. Clark Co. LLC will perform work on Dan River and Tunstall high schools, board members decided Tuesday night.

“This is fantastic news,” Pittsylvania County Schools Superintendent James McDaniel said during the meeting.

Nine firms offered figures for the Gretna and Chatham projects, while seven presented bids to upgrade Dan River and Tunstall high schools.

The remodeling of the schools will include 18 new classrooms at Tunstall, 16 at Chatham, and 12 each for Dan River and Gretna, as well as expanded cafeterias at the schools and overall upgrades, McDaniel said.

County voters approved a $70 million high school renovation in November 2007.

The Gretna/Chatham contract is $27.4 million, with the Dan River/Tunstall agreement at $28.1 million. The projects also include a $1 million contingency fee, $4.1 million for architecture and engineering and $1.02 million in bond costs, as well as other fees.

McDaniel said he expects construction to start in December.

The projects total $64.28 million, leaving an extra $5.7 million, board members pointed out at the meeting. Board member J. Samuel Burton, representing the Chatham-Blairs District, recommended meeting with the Board of Supervisors to discuss what can be done with the remaining balance.

The Board of Supervisors will address the renovation contracts Nov. 18.

Contact John R. Crane at or (434) 791-7987.