Manchester committee hears timeline, budget updates as Hillside and McLaughlin mobilize

The Committee on Joint School Buildings met March 11 and received a monthly status and financial report from Left Field on the city's six-school construction program, with presenters saying early contract awards and "soft" mobilization are expected in coming weeks and the committee accepting the report for informational purposes.

The update outlined immediate steps for Group 1 (Hillside and McLaughlin): anticipated awards for four early-release packages (site work, steel, concrete and windows) totaling about $9,700,000, launch of a Priority 1 project website, and a soft mobilization targeted for about April 1. David, project manager at Left Field, said, "They're not gonna be showing up with heavy equipment on April 1. They're gonna mobilize. They'll be there. They will mobilize their trailer. They'll put up a fence." The committee voted to accept the February monthly status and financial report as submitted for informational purposes.

Why it matters: Committee members pressed for clarity about public access to project information, neighborhood impacts and how the program will protect play and community space during multi-year construction. Left Field and district representatives said they are coordinating schedules, temporary play facilities and Department of Public Works involvement to limit disruption.

Key schedule and contracting details Left Field told the committee it expects awards for the Group 1 early-release packages within about two to three weeks; those four packages represent roughly 17% of trade costs for the two projects combined. The presenter said material testing procurement is under way and that Consigli, the construction manager, will operate two lightweight project websites (one each for Hillside and McLaughlin) that will post a short, bulletized update each Friday. The sites will require users to visit weekly to see updates; there will not be automatic email notifications from Consigli unless the district or city chooses to do so.

Left Field described the April mobilization as "soft" mobilization: trailers, fencing and protective scrims will be installed before major earthmoving. The presenter said formal groundbreakings for Hillside and McLaughlin are likely in May, even though crews may mobilize in April.

Budget and estimates The report included a historical view of estimates for Hillside and McLaughlin. Left Field said the combined DD-era estimate shown in the project packet was $72,900,000; after scope clarifications, anticipated buyout savings (about $1,100,000) and recently approved value-engineering decisions (about $2,300,000), the projects are essentially back on budget, with a forecasted overrun of roughly $100,000 (described in the presentation as about 0.14 percent of the $72.9 million figure). Left Field noted the $100,000 variance falls within the program contingency.

Longer timeline Left Field presented high-level durations: the Hillside addition is approximately 16 months with renovation work staged through three "summer slammers" (industry term for major summer renovation periods); McLaughlin's addition is about 12 months with two summer renovation periods. Group 2 projects (Parkside and Southside) are less developed; conservative schedules show spring mobilization next year, with timing subject to further coordination with Harvey (the Group 2 construction manager) and cost-effectiveness analysis. Beach School design work is about 20 percent complete; the presenter said Beach mobilization is conservatively projected for spring 2026 but could change as the Group 2 team and SMMA refine plans.

Community access and site restoration Committee members raised questions about the Priority 1 website's accessibility and language translation. Committeewoman Soule asked that the project team ensure the community can access and understand site updates and requested that the district and city coordinate outreach and translation. "The community needs to hear," Soule said, urging plans for multilingual access.

On play space and site restoration, Left Field and school representatives said provisions in the project agreements require replacement or relocation of recreational facilities so students will not lose play opportunities during construction. The report noted the Department of Public Works will coordinate decisions about site restoration for the former Beech/Beach Street school property; Josh from the Department of Public Works was identified as a participating staff resource.

School model and security Committee members and district staff described the schools as "community schools" intended to provide community access to gyms, cafeterias and meeting spaces while keeping classroom and academic areas secured. Committeewoman Turner said the design intentionally separates civic and academic zones so the public can use gym and auditorium spaces without compromising classroom security.

Vote and next steps The committee accepted the February monthly status and financial report as submitted for informational purposes; a motion to accept the report was made and seconded and the chair announced the ayes had it. Presenters said more detailed budget and bid buyout information will be available as trade contracts are awarded over the next weeks and months, and the project team will return next month with updates.

Ending Left Field and the construction managers will continue procurement, project scheduling and neighborhood coordination. Committee members asked the project team to follow up on language access for the project website, the timing and format of neighborhood briefings and the schedule for playground or court relocations during construction. The committee is scheduled to meet again in approximately one month for the next monthly update.