February 23, 2011 Facilities Assessment Subcommittee Meeting
The following Districts recently presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the February 23, 2011 MSBA Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (FAS) meeting:
Norton Public School District
Norton High School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owners Project Manager: Pinck & Co.
Designer: JCJ Architecture
Layout and conditions of the existing high school were presented and evaluated against four viable options: (1) renovation and code compliance only, (2.1) renovation / 1-story addition, (2.2) renovation/ 2-story addition and, (3) option to build new. Based on the options studied, the District presented their preferred option as a two-story addition with renovations to the existing facility as described in Option 2.2. Based on the evaluation performed by the District and its design team, Option 2.2 possesses the most advantageous and cost-effective solution that addresses the issues identified within the existing facility. The District also presented information that illustrates why renovation and code compliance only does not address the issues and why building new would be beyond the Town’s budgeted capacity. MSBA staff continues to review the submitted feasibility study and in an effort to make a recommendation to the MSBA Board of Directors to move the project into the schematic design phase. The District and the MSBA have agreed to continue to collaborate on the District’s submitted educational program to adjust the ultimate location of the special education classrooms, teacher planning rooms and other educational adjacencies. The District anticipates being on the March 30, 2011 Board meeting agenda.
North Adams Public School District
Silvio O. Conte Middle School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owners Project Manager: Strategic Building Solutions
Designer: Margo Jones Architects
The District described the existing conditions of two elementary schools and one middle school and presented a two-building, K-7 scenario as its recommended preferred alternative. In the District’s two-building scenario, the Silvio O. Conte Middle School (currently closed) would be renovated to house grades K-7 and, in addition, a new K-7 school would be built on the current site of the Greylock School. Based on the District’s preliminary cost estimates, this scenario would be the most costly option. MSBA staff intends to work closely with the District to determine if a multi-building scenario is the most appropriate option and anticipates receiving and reviewing the District’s feasibility study in an effort to make a recommendation to the MSBA Board of Directors. MSBA staff will need to review the cost estimate to better understand the presented renovation costs of $230/sf for the Conte Middle School. Upon satisfactory completion of this review, staff would be prepared to recommend a preferred schematic authorization for a renovation of the Conte Middle School. However, the MSBA is not yet prepared to put forward a recommendation on the District’s proposal for a new K-7 school at the Greylock site. Additional review and collaboration will be required to understand the most cost-effective option, renovation or new, for this District-wide solution that may result in a second project at the Greylock. The District anticipates being on the March 30, 2011 Board meeting agenda.
