The following districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the January 16, 2019 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the "MSBA") Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the "FAS") Meeting:
City of Amesbury
Amesbury Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner's Project Manager: NV5 Consultants, Inc.
Designer: DiNisco Design Partnership
The City of Amesbury (the "District"), the Owner's Project Manager, and design team presented an overview of the options studied during the Feasibility Study and the District's preferred solution to replace the existing Amesbury Elementary School with a new PK-2 facility to be located on the Cashman Elementary School site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the educational program and its relation to the proposed building layout; 2) grade reconfiguration, student transitions, and instructional methods for mitigating impact; 3) design limitations associated with site topography, zoning setbacks and building expansion; 4) the MSBA's "Review and Recommendations of Best Practices for K-12 STEM Learning Spaces" report as it relates to integrating more than one sink in general classrooms; 5) distribution of special education spaces and specialized programs; 6) the proposed use of the gymnasium for Adaptive PE; 7) the music program and its associated practice rooms and storage spaces; 8) appreciation for the project areas outside general classrooms; 9) outdoor access for PreK/K classrooms and layering of outdoor zones; 10) the potential benefits and efficiencies of the architect’s work on other public school buildings in relation to the proposed design; 11) site circulation, parking and opportunity to improve control features as the design progresses; and, 12) community outreach.
MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA's Board of Directors.
City of Waltham
Waltham High School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner's Project Manager: NV5 Consultants, Inc.
Designer: Symmes, Maini & McKee Associates, Inc.
The City of Waltham (the "District"), the Owner's Project Manager, and design team presented an overview of the options studied during the Feasibility Study and the District's preferred solution to construct a new high school on a new site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the high cost/sf of the Proposed Project, cost drivers, high volume of ineligible spaces and costs, and MSBA reimbursement; 2) the high site costs and site characteristics; 3) cost and capacity of the garage/turf field; 4) the ownership, control, and exclusive use of the property relating to the project schedule; 5) building organization, including: the relationship between the layout of the building and Project Based Learning; building circulation in relation to grade changes; access and circulation for individuals with limited mobility including access to elevators; distribution of Special Education spaces; use and design of the auditorium, and location of the auditorium storage; organization and flexibility of the proposed spaces; the recommendation of having the locker rooms on the same floor as the gymnasium; possible efficiencies of co-locating double height and high volume Chapter 74 spaces; use and design of the lecture theater; and, grouping of the science spaces; 6) aesthetic features of the building entrance and its civic presence; 7) appreciation of the Educational Program; 8) progress of the conceptual design; 9) appreciation of the District’s professional development plan; 10) use of the Maker Space; 11) the MSBA's "Review and Recommendations of Best Practices for K-12 STEM Learning Spaces" report; and, 12) incorporation of ELL students in world language classes to foster student leadership in native languages.
The FAS requested additional information regarding: 1) the locations of the locker rooms and the gym; 2) adjacencies and possible efficiencies of Chapter 74 programs; 3) the locations of the science rooms; 4) overall utilization; and, 5) the costs of the preferred solution.
MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.