In a competitive bid situation, the general contractor's first priority is controlling construction costs. The actions the general contractor take focus on adequate control, effective communication, efficient use of resources, and prevention of delays. (MLF)

Successful completion of a construction project requires the efforts of a team composed of the owner, architect, and contractor. A preconstruction conference can clarify the roles of the team as specified in the design contract. (MLF)

This report offers California college faculty a closer look at contextualized teaching and learning (CTL) as a promising set of strategies and practices that can be expanded through the state's Basic Skills Initiative. The report is relevant to a range of instructional and counseling faculty, including academic and career and technical education…

Spokane (Washington) School District No. 81 has replaced 12 obsolete elementary schools and enlarged a thirteenth. A design competition involving three consortia of 10 local architectural firms and the use of a prototype design for all 12 new schools saved the school district about $8 million from the original estimate. (MLF)

Colleges and universities with mounting deficits may be tempted to sell surplus land for profit, but this is never a smart long-term choice. Through joint ventures and innovative financing, institutions can transform such holdings into development projects. In the current economy, there may be increased interest in such sites. (MSE)

A school building project in Spokane, Washington, will replace 12 inner-city elementary schools, expand a thirteenth, and construct a new high school. Substantial cost savings in both materials and design are expected to result from adapting a prototype design to existing sites. (Author/MLF)

Presents a statistical portrait of 249 public and 33 academic library construction projects completed between July l, 1986, and June 30, 1987. Data on new buildings, additions, and renovations are included along with photographs of many of the projects and a directory of architects. Projects in progress are also listed. (MES)

For colleges and universities, development of underused assets can be compatible with or supportive of the institution's purpose and also be financially rewarding. Providing alumni retirement housing can enhance institutional ties with alumni, in turn boosting recruitment and fund raising. Successful development requires a unique blend of…

Suggests factors to be considered in planning a youth services department: (1) the public served; (2) kinds of materials included in the collection; (3) kinds of equipment available; (4) commitment to public service; (5) amenities for public comfort; (6) needs of library staff; and (7) integration of youth services into total library service. (MES)

A construction management firm and the architects working with the firm provided San Diego with ten elementary schools that were delivered on schedule, within cost, and met or exceeded the basic design criteria. (Author/MLF)

Temple University has embarked on major beautification projects of construction, renovation, restoration, and landscaping for the university's main campus and for the Health Sciences Center. (MLF)

Drafting insurance requirements in educational construction bid documents is a momentous task. Basic areas that must be addressed include worker's compensation, employers' liability, property insurance, motor vehicle liability, and public liability. Other coverages may be indicated for specific projects or locations. (MLF)

This extensive bibliography on library building includes 15 categories: bibliography; background; general; planning teams; building programs; alternatives to new buildings; academic libraries; public libraries; school libraries; special libraries; site selection; interior planning and equipment; maintenance; security; and moving. (MES)

A quantitative method developed at Stanford University that addresses programmatically the short- and long-term needs of the college physical plant is discussed. The approach allows the administrator to accurately assess funding resources for the maintenance program in conjunction with academic and construction programs. A special task force at…

Examples of the use of a mathematical model to evaluate the future renewal and replacement, or maintenance requirements, of the college physical plant are provided. The model, which was developed at Stanford University, simulates actual conditions at a specific location and allows resource allocation to be based on a definable quantitative base.…