In 2008 and 2009, MENG Analysis completed value analysis and constructability reviews for three elementary schools for the Kennewick School District. 

Southgate Elementary School
This project is a complete remodel of the existing elementary school and includes some new construction to house the gymnasium and kitchen areas.  The existing gym will be remodeled into a new multipurpose space that will serve as the student lunch room.  Operable partitions will expand this space into the gym and elevated music room platform.  A new warming kitchen will be added on the north side of the multipurpose room.

As the first of four schools with near identical floor plans, the VA team focused on plan and system opportunities that improve program, functionality, and user comfort.  The reuse of all of the classrooms is a prudent approach to the modernization, but adds challenges based on the current configuration.  The program analysis indicated the library to be about 900 SF over the program area.  The VA team also identified a number of spaces being smaller than program, such as the administration, multipurpose, kitchen, and gymnasium.

Cottonwood Elementary School
The new Cottonwood Elementary School is a modern 51,311 SF facility that will serve to increase the District's ability to house students in a growing part of the District.  The current design is responsive to the District's Education Specifications.  The VA team offered proposals suggesting minor adjustments to the planning concepts that would provide functional improvements, as well as many building system alternatives for the design team to consider.  Proposals included alternatives for both first cost avoidance and life cycle cost avoidance for the new facility for all building systems.  MENG Analysis provided a total of 50 proposals yielding a total first-cost savings potential of $1,856,000.

Canyon View Elementary School
The Canyon View Elementary School Modernization and Addition includes the modernization of an existing 1978 CMU structure, with later upgrades.  The building construction includes interior and exterior selective demolition, with new built out finishes, a new gymnasium, and front entry addition.  The VA team proposed many alternatives that offer first costs in favor of functional improvements to reduce maintenance or operation costs.  The VA team determined that several systems in the existing school appear to be serviceable and capable of reusing in the modernized facility, including:  electrical transformer and secondary service, existing parking lot, fire sprinkler piping, and water service piping.   MENG Analysis provided a total of 42 proposals yielding a total first-cost savings potential of $1,885,000.