The following Districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the March 21, 2018 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the "MSBA") Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the "FAS") Meeting:
Bristol County Regional School District
Bristol County Regional Agricultural High School
Current Phase: Schematic Design
Owner's Project Manager: Colliers International, Inc.
Designer: HMFH Architects, Inc.
The Bristol County Regional School District (the "District"), the Owner’s Project Manager, and design team presented updates to the District’s preferred solution of additions/renovations and new construction of various buildings at the Bristol County Agricultural High School campus. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the status and process for securing local funding; 2) further development of the proposed site plan; 3) building orientation and exterior material selection; 4) improved distribution of special education spaces; 5) addition of a new program ("Air Aggie"); 6) proposed vehicle parking and adjacencies; 7) future flexibility of proposed laboratory spaces; 8) capacity of laboratory spaces; 9) the Animal Science building space utilization including safety and sterilization learning opportunities; 10) proposed utilization of 'Maker Spaces'; 11) proposed location/orientation of media spaces and possible design modifications; 12) how students with mobility issues can move through the campus; 13) potential safety measures at Center Street crossing; and, 14) scope and budget increase since pre-feasibility study discussions with the District
MSBA staff are currently working with the District as they develop their Schematic Design for submission to the MSBA.
Town of Belmont
Belmont High School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner's Project Manager: Daedalus Projects, Inc.
Designer: Perkins+Will
The Town of Belmont (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 for an addition and renovation project to the Belmont High School. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the scope of the project, continuing progress, and District input regarding the conceptual design; 2) spaces beyond those included in the MSBA guidelines and eligibility for reimbursement; 3) community outreach and support for the project; 4) the percentage of the project that is a new building versus a renovation; 5) identities and organization for students in grades 7-8 and grades 9-12; 6) the design of the third floor garden; 7) the expense and utilization of atriums; 8) the location of the science classrooms; 9) discussion of the METCO program; 10) teacher collaboration spaces; 11) flexibility of the proposed art spaces; 12) consideration of location and number of lockers; 13) the project schedule; 14) collaboration between MSBA and the Town of Belmont; and, 15) the increased scope over the life of the project.
MSBA staff are currently working with the District to receive updated plans, sections, cost estimates and an updated space summary.
Manchester Essex Regional School District
Manchester Memorial Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner's Project Manager: Dore & Whittier Management Partners
Designer: JCJ Architecture
The Manchester Essex Regional School District (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 proceed into Schematic Design to replace the existing Manchester Memorial Elementary School with a new PK-5 facility on the existing site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the compactness and efficiency of the preferred solution; 2) proposed construction phasing sequence; 3) alignment of the educational program and the preferred solution; 4) solar orientation of the building; 5) variations from the MSBA space summary guidelines; 6) locations and utilization of the STEM classrooms; 7) adaptive physical education; 8) delivery of the world languages curriculum; 9) proposed vehicle and pedestrian site access and site circulation; 10) separation and security of the building during community after-hours use; 11) combination of the cafeteria and gymnasium with the stage and accommodating for the district’s desire for a large gathering space; 12) sustainability and resiliency of the proposed project; and, 13) how site constraints and the reduction of riverfront encroachment impacted the project.
MSBA staff are currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.
City of Springfield
Brightwood Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner's Project Manager: Skanska USA Buildings
Designer: DiNisco Design Partnership
The City of Springfield (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 consolidate the existing Brightwood Elementary School and the Lincoln Elementary School on the Plainfield Street site, abutting the existing Chestnut Middle School. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) alignment between the educational program and the proposed layout; 2) potential for some movable partitions that would allow for "looping" in each of the clusters; 3) the need for additional work on the layout at each entryway; 4) accommodating site circulation, parking and outside play space on the tight site; 5) importance of safe walkways for students and anticipated construction schedule of the proposed tunnel; and, 6) community outreach.
MSBA staff are currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.
