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Saturday, February 4, 2017

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Is this the future of Westport’s new Jr/Sr High School?

 

 

Is this the future of Westport’s new Jr/Sr High School?

EverythingWestport.com

Saturday, February 4, 2017

 

Above and below: Longmeadow High School, just outside of Springfield, MA.

Photos courtesy of OMR Architects

 

 

  

 

Two town boards and one committee voted unanimously December 22nd of last year to move forward with local architect Jonathon Levi’s design for a preferred schematic solution involving a 185,600 square foot new building to be built on the site of the now derelict, PCB-plagued Middle School that has already cost town taxpayers over $3 million to remedy, but failed to satisfy EPA guidelines.

 

Now, in a last minute nod to cost-sensitive town taxpayers who may balk at approving $95.2 million in construction costs, the Jr/Sr School Building Committee is requesting an in-depth review of the MSBA’s (Massachusetts School Building Authority) “model school program,” a relatively new concept where a community can elect to use the architectural plans and actual construction experiences of a recently built school building that used MSBA funding, and that MSBA and the committee believes might work for Westport.

 

This judicious approach can save millions in architectural fees and up to $2 million in construction costs based on experiences working with known materials, and avoiding the unforeseen obstacles encountered by the contractors of the model school, thereby avoiding costly change orders.

 

 

Above, left: proposed custom-built school layout.  Above, right: Longmeadow High School “model” school building. Both designs incorporate two floors. Orange color blocks out portion of Longmeadow School not needed in Westport design.

 

At this year’s January 18th meeting Owner Project Manager (OPM) Dan Taveres said the committee should take a long, hard look at the Longmeadow High School, located just outside of Springfield, which the MSBA has offered up as a model school that may work for Westport without substantially compromising the functionality of a custom-built building.

 

Sounds interesting but will it work for Westport?

 

When asked why now, after custom designing and approving a new school design (with the accompanying costs), the committee should consider a model school, Taveres said that because the committee arrived at a new school solution, they (MSBA) automatically went and looked at the model options now available and narrowed it down to the Longmeadow school.

 

“We like where were going but it’s in your best interest to explore the model school for potential cost savings.” Taveres said,

 

“We had asked to be part of the model school program. You can’t be considered for the model school until you get to this preferred schematic design meeting to talk about it. They (MSBA) now have confirmed with us that we can do that.

We are asking for them to consider because there are a lot of potential cost savings. We have to explore all that and come to a decision. We’re just trying to cover all of our bases...  and make sure we end up with the most cost-effective design that meets our educational program requirements.”  - Committee Co-Chair Diane Barron.

 

Selectman Antone Vieira Jr. said that he would be in favor of the cost savings a model school adaptation might bring noted at the Jan. 18 SBC meeting that such a savings could mean the difference for taxpayers who are unsure if they want to vote in favor of it or not.

 

Based on the made-to-order model designed by Levi, it would cost an estimated $95.2 million. With the state funding roughly 46 percent, the town would be funding the balance, about $56 million.

 

“It ( decision) is not truly based on numbers, it’s not based on style, there’s really a lot of factors that come into it, but we also promised the taxpayers of this community we would look at every possible option...  long and tedious though it may be, but it’s our due diligence to this community.  

- Committee Co-Chair Tracey Priestner

 

Westport officials were scheduled to meet with the Longmeadow School’s architect to discuss possible modifications and the practicalities of adapting their design to meet Westport school officials’ needs.

 

“The model school is just going to allow you to move forward a little quicker in the process; one thing that is does, it jumps you from schematic design right into construction documents,” Taveres told the committee.  “So you save about four months of time..   you save some money not having to produce another set of cost estimate documents, and it gets you in the ground a little quicker  Your saving five percent of the fees and your gaining five percent incentive points,” Taveres added.

 

There is also a two percent incentive point(s) for sustainability designs, and 1.3 percent on maintenance credits based on all the information that has been submitted previously.

 

Selectmen Antone Vieira Jr. said savings on the level talked about with the model school concept could make a difference with taxpayers as the town boards seek town meeting approval followed by registered voters at the ballot box.

 

The School Building Committee is planning to meet on Wednesday, February 8th to share information from the Longmeadow’s architect with a likely site visit, and possibly make a decision whether or not to switch to the model option.

 

This “long and tedious” process that requires the town to spend money to save money could be a concept that might work for the school district.

 

Time will tell.

 

 

 

 

 

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