Board reviews design‑development update, budget and timeline for Lincoln Irving school project

At the May 27 Board of Education meeting, Leggett Architects and construction partners presented the design‑development progress for the Lincoln Irving replacement project, including site fit, program changes, design themes and a procurement timeline. Robin Randall, director of education at Leggett Architects, said the team has refined the building with input from staff, families and the community.

The project team described four guiding themes—cultural, flexible, visionary and affordability—and a concept the presenters call the "learning stair" or cultural "tree" at the building core that connects classrooms, collaboration spaces and student support areas. "It's been such an inspirational project, and we've been able to engage with the community along the way," Randall said.

Presenters said the Lincoln Irving site is about four acres, smaller than the roughly 5.5‑acre Hamilton site used as a program reference. The team reported it could fit the required program on the site using an "arc" option, and noted parking remains an important constraint. Val Pierce, a project associate, described the primary plan elements: a public zone with administration, commons/cafeteria and stage, and a private classroom zone with integrated breakout and life‑skills spaces. The design includes a second‑floor roof garden and flexible media center seating.

On budget and schedule, the district's construction adviser said the team is carrying contingency allowances in the current design‑development estimate and will update cost estimates as documents advance. The presenters planned another budget update within a month and additional cost checks before bidding. The timeline presented anticipates finishing construction documents through October 2025, presenting to the board on Oct. 13, out to bid in October with bids in November, potential construction start in March 2026 (contingent on frost and schedule) and a projected school opening in August 2027.

The team said community work will continue over the summer on two items: a renaming process and a community‑sourced mural tied to the building's cultural threads. Presenters emphasized further staff and community meetings during construction document development. No formal board decision was required; the presentation was informational.

The board did not vote on funding or award actions during the meeting. The team said contingency amounts will be refined as the design moves from design development into construction documents, and the district will receive updated cost estimates in the coming months.