To the Editor:

We have been residents of Princeton since 1986 and both our children went to Community Park, the Middle School, and Princeton High School (PHS).

We witnessed the expansion of PHS that was complicated and way over budget. We need construction and development expertise to oversee the process now from bidding and contract negotiations all through the construction to make sure that the budgets are solid.

I am very concerned that the $81 million-$85 million estimate is just that [“Princeton Public Schools Looking to Expand,” December 20, page 1], and it will likely get closer to $90 million-$100 million when it’s all done because the ultimate contracts will allow low bidders and any bidders to make significant change orders that the town will have no control over.

Lump sum contracts will put much of the risk on the general contractor selected. Design-Build would be a very good option as well. 

I hope I’m wrong, but this happens in almost all construction projects.

Michael Nachamkin
Andrews Lane

The writer is the managing partner of Matrix Real Estate Services, LLC.