Design updates for Monroe, Franklin and Edison middle‑school projects; zoning hearing set for April 22

Perkins and Will senior project architect Mike Dolter presented a design update April 9 on the district’s middle‑school capital projects tied to the referendum. Dolter said the work is organized into multiple issuances; issuance 2 is split into 2a and 2b to expedite infrastructure and make the remainder of fit‑outs part of a follow‑on package.

Dolter said construction for parts of issuance 2 will begin this summer at Franklin and Monroe, while Edison’s addition is scheduled to start during spring break 2026 and be completed in summer 2026. Issuance 3 (major renovations) is planned for summers 2026 and 2027. "The work will start at Franklin and Monroe this upcoming summer," Dolter said.

Design highlights presented by Dolter included: - Edison: a south‑side gym addition oriented north–south, expanded toilet rooms, storage and daylighting strategies (louvers and solar tubes) to avoid direct glare and improve natural light. - Monroe: a performing‑arts addition with band/orchestra/choir classrooms acoustically separated by practice and storage space, a new auditorium design with approximately 511 seats (504 fixed plus 7 accessible), and a prefunction space with skylights and potential exterior seating areas linked to a campus bridge. - Franklin: a northeast performing arts and classroom addition with a new north ramp entry, planned courtyard and opportunities for natural light and stormwater management.

Dolter said the team is coordinating with the city on zoning and stormwater review; a zoning board public hearing was scheduled for April 22. He also said the team will produce a 90% control estimate for pricing before the board approves bid awards. "We are in the process of design for contract documents for issuance 2a and 2b," Dolter said.