PRESS RELEASE
Barrington School Committee Recommends Downes Construction Company as OPM for School Facilities Projects
BARRINGTON, RI – The Barrington School Committee voted unanimously (4-0) on April 6, 2023, to recommend that School Administration enter contract negotiations with Providence-based construction firm, Downes Construction Company, as the Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) for Barrington Public Schools (BPS).
Downes has extensive experience providing construction services management to school districts across Rhode Island. The firm has previously supported districts in meeting the Rhode Island Department of Education’s (RIDE) aggressive Stage II submission timelines which was a pertinent consideration with Barrington’s Stage II deadline approaching in September. As OPM, Downes will perform key construction management responsibilities for BPS, including RIDE protocol adherence, schedule management, procurement, estimation and cost-control, quality-control, and design firm selection.
The selection of Downes is an important step in BPS's progress toward developing a long-term educational facilities plan that addresses infrastructure and security needs of the District’s school buildings. Downes will also support community education and engagement efforts to ensure that the Town of Barrington and Barrington residents are informed participants in the Stage II development and submission process and that facilities projects are representative of both the community’s educational needs and its budget.
All members of the Barrington community are strongly encouraged to attend the next meeting of the Barrington School Committee on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 6:30 PM at Barrington Middle School or via livestream. This meeting is an opportunity to learn about the purpose and planning timelines for school renovation projects, meet the representatives from Downes who will be providing their expertise to BPS, and participate in a Q&A session.