The following Districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the July 27, 2017 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the "MSBA") Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the "FAS") Meeting:
City of Attleboro
Attleboro High School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner's Project Manager: Skanska USA Building, Inc.
Designer: Kaestle Boos Associates, Inc.
The City of Attleboro (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 Attleboro High School with a new facility on the existing site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the District's Educational Plan and its relation to the District's Preferred Solution; 2) the level of development of the conceptual floor plans; 3) class size and the teacher to student ratio; 4) school schedule; 5) the location and number of elevators; 6) utilization of the proposed maker spaces and lecture rooms; 7) potential for corridors with breakout spaces and teaching nodes; 8) courtyard maintenance; 9) cafeteria location and noise impact and to surrounding areas; 10) Chapter 74 programming and public access and interaction; 11) staffing of the media center and the curating of school materials; 12) how the building organization supports the grouping of students into houses; 13) sustainability; and 14) using a holistic approach to develop the site and massing of the proposed building.
The FAS requested: 1) the District and Design team review and comment regarding the spaces and adjacencies in the proposed floor plan and site plan and provide a narrative describing the main priorities of the updated building design; 2) an updated Educational Program; 3) updated Final Evaluation of Alternatives; 4) updated Preferred Solution; and 5) updated Local Actions and Approvals.
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 Taunton
James L. Mulcahey Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner’s Project Manager: Compass Group Architecture, LLC
Designer: Dore & Whittier Architects, Inc.
The City of Taunton (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 James L. Mulcahey Elementary School with a new facility on the existing site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the District's preferred solution and alignment with the educational program; 2) the proposed building layout and interior circulation; 3) the types of instruction that will occur in the "Small Group" and "Title 1" rooms; 4) relabeling of spaces on the floor plans; 5) the proposed site layout and circulation; 6) the use of FM systems in classrooms; 7) delivery of science curriculum within the general classrooms; 8) incorporation of sinks in classrooms; 9) potential educational opportunities on the existing site; and, 10) the District’s option to participate in the Model School Program.
The FAS requested: 1) further clarification on the types of instruction that will occur in the "Small Group" and "Title 1" spaces; and, 2) further exploration of options to reconfigure the corridors.
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 Fall River
B.M.C. Durfee High School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner’s Project Manager: Leftfield, LLC
Designer: Ai3 Architects
The City of Fall River (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 B.M.C. Durfee High School with a new facility on the existing site while maintaining and renovating the existing high school athletic complex. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) details related to building orientation; 2) sheltered drop-off/pick-up area; 3) accessibility, maintenance, and utilization related to the courtyard; 4) class size policies; 5) staffing related to the Library/ Media Center; 6) the importance of grade-specific adjacencies; and 7) components of the estimated construction cost.
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 Lowell
Lowell High School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner’s Project Manager: Skanska USA Building, Inc.
Designer: Perkins Eastman Architects, DPC
The City of Lowell (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 Lowell High School with a new facility on the Cawley site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the educational program and preferred solution; 2) the proposed swimming pool; 3) the City’s plans for the existing high school facilities following relocation to the new school; 4) community outreach regarding the proposed site; 5) the potential to limit paving in the immediate area around the building; 6) a covered drop-off/pick area for handicapped individuals; 7) the number and location of elevators; 8) the locations of robotics, CADD and maker spaces; 9) seating capacity within the auditorium, and the potential to include a variety of performance spaces rather than added auditorium capacity, such as black box theater; and 10) the level of development of the conceptual layouts.
The FAS requested: 1) that the District and Design team review and comment regarding the spaces and adjacencies in the proposed floor plan and site plan; 2) an updated Educational Program; 3) an updated Final Evaluation of Alternatives; 4) an updated Preferred Solution; and 5) an updated Local Actions and Approvals documentation.
MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.