BOSTON - State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts School Building Authority ("MSBA"), and MSBA Executive Director/Deputy CEO John K. McCarthy announced today that the MSBA Board of Directors voted to approve a grant of up to $49,147,673 for a project to construct a new Brightwood Elementary School located in the City of Springfield. One of the next steps is for the District and the MSBA to enter into a Project Funding Agreement, which will detail the project’s scope and budget, along with the conditions under which the District will receive its MSBA grant.
"Upon completion, this project will provide a new 21st century learning environment for students in Springfield," Treasurer Goldberg said. "Our goal is to create the best space to deliver the District’s educational commitments and goals."
The proposed project would consolidate the existing Brightwood Elementary School and the existing Lincoln Elementary School into a new 150,500 square foot facility serving 800 students in grades PK-5 on a new Plainfield Street site. The District reported in their Statement of Interest that the current structure suffers from deficiencies in all major building systems including mechanical, electrical and plumbing. The District also reported, that the building envelope and structural deficiencies, as well as accessibility issues, resulting in the District being unable to support the delivery of its educational program.
"Students will soon have a beautiful new space which will undoubtedly enhance and improve their ability to excel in the classroom," stated Executive Director/Deputy CEO McCarthy.
The MSBA partners with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally appropriate, flexible, sustainable and cost-effective public school facilities. Since its 2004 inception, the Authority has made over 1,750 site visits to more than 250 school districts as part of its due diligence process and has made over $13.2 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects.
