Salem — The design team told the Salem Hospital Building Committee on Nov. 6 that a complete schematic design set was submitted to estimators the day before and that estimating and MSBA submission work is now underway.

Danita Flynn, representing the design team, said: "We submitted a schematic design set yesterday. It is a requirement for the MSBA, and it's also a requirement for estimating." She described a multi‑estimator approach and said the set includes room data sheets, reflected‑ceiling plans and a 3‑D model to support quantity takeoffs.

Flynn explained that furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) are shown as dotted items in the drawings and are not part of the base construction bid. "Everything that isn't attached to the floor, that's FF&E," she said. Staff noted that soft costs — fees, testing and related expenses — will be estimated separately and said those typically range around 24% of hard construction costs.

Committee members asked how much of the set should be posted online. Flynn warned that the complete schematic set includes sensitive information (floor plans and security details) that many districts do not post in full. "There's a lot of sensitive information…we would prefer you not to do it," she said, proposing that the team and city decide which materials go online and which will be provided in controlled sets for public review.

The project schedule remains on an expedited track: staff told the committee an estimate reconciliation is planned for Dec. 3 and a Dec. 11 committee meeting is scheduled to review final materials and, if appropriate, vote to authorize submission to the MSBA. City council will consider a bond order in January, staff said.

Why it matters: The schematic submission starts the formal estimating and MSBA review process and shapes the materials public stakeholders can access ahead of council hearings. The committee must balance transparency with security and vendor/estimating needs.

Next steps: Staff will prepare a public‑friendly subset of drawings and room data sheets for on‑site review and will return with refined estimates and a recommendation at the Dec. 11 meeting.