School Building Committee News

At its meetings on July 25 and August 1, 2019, the School Building Committee:

Approved and presented to School Committee the
Feasibility Study Report  for the Hunnewell Elementary School and the
Feasibility Study Report Appendix

The report provides comprehensive information and data, including:

• Existing conditions and impacts on the delivery of education;
• Overview of the feasibility study process including the development of the educational plan and the development and evaluation of building options;
• Detailed information on the recommended building option:
  • All new construction, 19 classrooms
  • Approximately 80 dedicated parking spaces, with further evaluation and refinement of the parking plan to come during permitting phase
  • Net Zero Ready (NZR) with rooftop solar panels and a low energy use intensity (EUI) rating

• Conceptual project budget totaling $57,500,000

Recommended a $4.68 million budget for the Hunnewell design and permitting phase, including $3.2 million for the project designer, SMMA, and $425,000 for the owner’s project manager, Compass Project Management.  
 
Received updates on the remaining viable swing space options:

• Internal swing space: Utilizing space at other elementary schools to enable a schedule that can move forward independently of the Hardy/Upham project; or
• Waiting until the Hardy/Upham project is complete to use a vacated building as swing space (multiple scenarios are being evaluated), delaying completion of the project until 2026.
• St. Paul’s School is no longer under consideration; the Archdiocese is expected to enter into a long-term lease with another party.
• The SBC continues to analyze swing space. It will discuss the options, share details with the community, and solicit further feedback in September before making a recommendation.

Reviewed a potential timeline for an “early” Hunnewell project if the recommended swing space option may proceed independent of the Hardy/Upham project:

• December 9, 2019: request to Special Town Meeting for appropriation of design funds
• Winter 2020 -  Spring 2021:  design and permitting
• Spring 2021: request for Town Meeting and voter approval of construction funds
• January or September 2023: occupancy of new building

See SBC Meeting Presentation 7-25-2019
See SBC Meeting Presentation 8-1-2019

Approved SMMA’s Proposal for Designer Services for the feasibility and schematic design phases of the Hardy/Upham project, to be partially funded by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

• The total proposed fee is $1,073,085 and must also be supported by the Permanent Building Committee.
• SMMA’s proposed schedule includes submission of a preferred site/building solution to the MSBA in May of 2020. The feasibility study is expected to begin in late August.

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