The Massachusetts School Building Authority Announces that Arlington is Advancing to Schematic Design Phase
Schematic Design Phase Narrows Project Alternatives to a Clearly Defined Design
BOSTON, MA – The Board of Directors of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”) voted to move Thompson Elementary School in Arlington into the Schematic Design Phase. State Treasurer Steven Grossman, Chairman of the MSBA and Katherine Craven, MSBA Executive Director, made the announcement today. The Schematic Design phase is the next step towards potential funding. Now the Town of Arlington will work in collaboration with the MSBA to produce detailed renderings that will help determine the scope and budget of the project.
“This is a very exciting stage in the MSBA process. The schematic designs that will be produced will give us our first look at the new Thompson Elementary. They will help us narrow the scope and budget of the project so that we can be sure the final product is efficient, sustainable and affordable,” said State Treasurer Steven Grossman.
“The schematic designs that will be produced will give the MSBA and the Town of Arlington a better idea of the potential project at the Thompson Elementary School,” stated Katherine Craven, Executive Director of the MSBA.
“This is the important next step in the rebuilding of the Thompson School. Working together, I know that the MSBA and the Town of Arlington can develop the right scope and budget for a successful project, said Sen. Ken Donnelly.
“The announcement made today is good news for the Thompson Elementary School and good news for the Town of Arlington,” said Rep. Sean Garballey. “I will continue to work with many people throughout the Town of Arlington and MSBA to advocate for our school. MSBA has been a valuable partner in trying to address the needs of the Thompson Elementary School.”
The MSBA is committed to finding the right-sized, most fiscally responsible and educationally appropriate solutions to create safe and sound learning environments. The MSBA is committed to protecting the taxpayer’s dollar by improving the school building grant process and avoiding the mistakes of the past in the funding and construction of school facilities. In its six year history, the MSBA has made more than $7.4 billion in reimbursements to cities, towns and regional school districts for school construction projects. These timely payments have saved municipalities over $2.9 billion in avoided local interest costs and have provided much needed cash flow to communities in these difficult economic times.
