Public
Buildings Commissioner Paul Hines introduced Squantum Elementary School Architect
Tina Soohoo from Arrowstreet and Owner’s Project Manager Brian Laroche who
shared an update on the Squantum Elementary School project. Through the collaboration of the design
team and the Squantum Building Committee and Working group, the Schematic
Design and Total Project Budget will be submitted to the Massachusetts School
Building Authority next week. These
will be reviewed by the MSBA over the summer and it is anticipated that the
Project Scope and Budget Agreement will go to the City Council for funding
appropriation in the fall.
The
project plan overview and timeline was shared; the new building will be two
stories and incorporate the 1919 building.
The school is organized around a central courtyard and classrooms will
have all modern amenities, storage, technology. The new building will be constructed in
phases, maintaining the park and playground for the community. Preparation work for utilities in the
neighborhood will begin this summer and continue through the 2024-2025 school
year while construction documents are finalized. Modular classrooms will be utilized for the
2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years during the construction. There will be a community meeting hosted by
Mayor Koch and City Councillor Bill Harris at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, June 25 at
the Squantum Elementary School gymnasium.
Commissioner
Hines thanked Commissioner Murphy and the Park Board for their input during
the planning process. Thanks to Owners
Project Manager PCA 360 and Arrowstreet,
the project is three months ahead of schedule and has been better aligned
with the school year calendar than the original project plan. Commissioner Hines noted that the memorial
tree planted in memory of Patrick White will be transplanted with the parents’
permission.
Mrs.
Perdios asked for clarification, preliminary interior designs were shared
with the public at the January meeting and these further refined versions
will be shared later this month. Mrs.
Perdios asked about staff input on the design, Commissioner Hines explained
the Work Group meeting bi-weekly and multiple listening sessions with
Squantum Elementary School staff.
Mrs.
Perdios asked for clarification, with construction beginning in Summer 2025,
the anticipated opening of the new building will be September 2027. Mr. Laroche noted that the demolition of
the 1971 building and the creation of the parking lot will happen in Fall
2027.
Commissioner
Hines reviewed that the modular classrooms concept has been well-received by
the staff.
Mrs.
Perdios asked about the gymnasium being torn down first, in the 1971
building, the media center will be repurposed for motor skills and Special
Education therapies. Commissioner
Hines said there have also been discussions with the Kennedy Center for using
their gymnasium around the Council on Aging schedule.
Mr.
Bregoli asked about the height of the ceiling in the Cafetorium, 18-20
feet. The gymnasium will be 28 feet,
typical classrooms will be 14 feet.
Mr. Bregoli asked about replacement of lights, new LED lighting has
longer life and a lift will be provided as part of the school equipment. Mr. Bregoli asked for clarification, the
entire building is ADA accessible and there is an elevator in the
building.
Mr.
Gutro asked for clarification, the new gymnasium is on the Winslow Road side
of the building away from the educational spaces and securable.
Mrs.
Hubley asked about the modular classrooms, there will be 10 classrooms and
the determination for usage will be made at the school level.
Mayor
Koch thanked Mr. Laroche and Ms. Soohoo, this has been a team effort, the
MSBA considers Quincy a model for completing a project. The collaboration of all of the departments
is impressive, Public Buildings is managing 80 buildings citywide.
Commissioner
Hines thanked Commissioner Graziozo and Deputy Commissioner Prendiville, they
have been important collaborators as well.
Mrs.
Lebo agreed with Mayor Koch that having the Maintenance budget separate from
the School department budget has led to the buildings maintenance being
prioritized rather than deferred.
Commissioner
Hines noted that he will submit a final version of the status of work
completed memorandum to School Committee.
Commissioner Hines noted that he utilizes the Facilities needs of the
School Improvement Plans, in addition to maintaining and improving code
compliance, addressing the safe drinking water (lead and copper levels).
Commissioner
Hines said that the boiler room has been replaced at North Quincy High School
without MSBA involvement; the Parker boiler replacement project scheduled for
Summer 2025 may be the final MSBA funded as they are moving away from this
area. Also at NQHS, the main power
controls were replaced, carpeting has been replaced in dozens of classrooms,
ADA upgrades for sound and ceiling panels in 12 classrooms, one science lab has
been renovated, the ornamental stonework on the original building entrance
has been restored, plumbing upgrades throughout the building, LED lighting
replacement is underway. (QHS is 10%
of city’s power usage and NQHS is 9%).
At
QHS, addressing temperature on the upper level of the gymnasium by installing
destratification fans; through grant funding, there will be upgrades to the
Automotive shop; addressing sewer pipe issues in the administrative areas;
addressing mixing valve issues in restrooms.
The auditorium lighting will be replaced in the new Capital
Improvement Plan, the design and engineering process is underway.
At
Central Middle School, the lighting control system needs to be replaced.
Mrs.
Lebo said this is an incredible report, asked about electric bus grant
opportunities. Commissioner Hines said
that research is underway for electric and other alternate fuel
vehicles. There are grant opportunities
and we are also talking with other districts about their experiences.
Commissioner
Hines thanked the entire Public Buildings department, the project managers,
Dave Scott, the Maintenance staff, construction is being done in house saving
the city money.
Mrs.
Lebo asked about the open Director of Energy & Sustainability position. Mayor Koch said the position
responsibilities are being reviewed before being posted.
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