Norwood Town Council approves engineering plans for new Cochran Middle School parking lots

The Middle School Building Committee meeting held on April 14, 2025, in Norwood, Massachusetts, focused on the development of parking lots adjacent to Cochran Middle School. The town has acquired two properties, previously containing structures, which are now set to be transformed into parking spaces to alleviate congestion around the school.

During the meeting, it was revealed that a proposal from AI 3 for the design of these parking lots came in at $112,000. However, the committee expressed a desire to pursue the engineering work independently rather than through AI 3. Mark, a member of the engineering department, presented plans indicating that the parking lot would connect to the access drive leading into the school property, avoiding direct access from Washington Street to minimize traffic conflicts.

The committee discussed the intended use of the parking lot, clarifying that it would serve both school and town purposes. A motion was made and unanimously approved to allow the town to prepare engineering plans and solicit bids for the construction of the parking lot. It was noted that construction would likely not commence until after the demolition of existing structures, expected to be completed by mid-June.

In addition to the parking lot discussions, the committee reviewed invoices related to various projects, totaling over $20 million for the month. This included payments for architectural services, technology upgrades, and construction costs. The committee also approved the vendor invoice package without any objections.

Overall, the meeting underscored the town's commitment to improving infrastructure around Cochran Middle School while managing budgetary considerations effectively. The next steps involve finalizing engineering plans and preparing for construction once demolition is complete.