Kettering OKs more money for Rosewood Arts Centre as costs jump

The need for more money in the second phase is “for a number of reasons. The first is the rising cost in bids that we are receiving” for 2022 projects, City Manager Mark Schwieterman said.

The renovation of the 57-year-old former elementary school is a multi-year effort that was earlier projected to cost about $4.8 million.

It now stands at slightly more than $5 million after Kettering City Council approved additional funds Tuesday night, officials said.

The lowest of four bids this year for Phase II will add of $68,540 to the cost for work Kettering earlier estimated at about $1.365 million, according to the city.

Kettering has been one of several Dayton-area cities that have said in recent weeks that a combination of rising costs and supply chain problems have increased the costs of projects.

Kettering Assistant City Manager Steve Bergstresser told the Dayton Daily News earlier the higher bids became noticeable in February, but “we may have seen indications of that early on in the fall of last year” if bids had been sought then.

Also factoring in the higher cost for Phase II is a combination of changes and donations that have also involved fund transfers, Schwieterman said.

Kettering officials have said the first phase of the Rosewood work is targeted for completion this spring.

Phase II will follow and include upgrades to the ceramics, dance, and metal and glass studios, as well as the kiln and general conference rooms and photography space improvements, Kettering Parks Recreation & Cultural Arts Director Mary Beth O’Dell has said.

Exterior work will include the second part of the new parking lot, according to O’Dell.

The third and final phase of the renovation is targeted for completion in 2023, officials said.

Rosewood serves more than 80,000 people annually in the Dayton area through a variety of visual and performing arts, according to the city.

It has provided arts programming — including more than 400 educational programs and classes each year — in addition to artist studio spaces, exhibitions, performances and special events, according to the city.