Design development begins for Maury High replacement; developers and architects outline schedule, access and shared‑use natatorium

Robert Hudson, vice president with Heartland Construction, and Mel Price, CEO and principal of WPA Architects, told the City Council at a Feb. 25 work session that the Maury High School project is moving from schematic design into design development and that the team expects to establish a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) at the end of the design‑development phase.

"At this point, we're about to make another transition. We're at the end of schematic design, and we're transitioning into design development," Hudson said. The presentation recapped community engagement meetings held June 27 and Jan. 30 and described steering‑committee workshops that informed the design.

Mel Price reviewed site plans and said the new school footprint runs east‑west along Twentieth Street with an athletic complex centered on a multi‑sport turf field, tennis courts, softball and a track. The design retains the historic Maury building’s presence and adds about 40 on‑site parking spaces, revised bus circulation and concealed service areas. Price said the natatorium was sited across Llewellyn to serve both Norfolk Public Schools and Parks & Recreation programs; the pool is designed as a six‑lane, 25‑meter facility with room for about 250 spectators.

Hudson summarized the project phasing: early phases build athletic amenities and site earthwork, later phases allow relocation of students into the new school, and a final phase would address the historic portion of Maury (the team said the future use of the historic portion remains undecided). Hudson said the project schedule aims for athletic‑field completion in fall 2026 and opening the new school in fall 2028 if permitting and GMP approvals proceed as planned.

Council members expressed concerns about cost, transparency and coordination with Norfolk Public Schools. Councilmember Smigiel asked who will pay and noted that council ultimately decides funding; he said the $240 million figure he has heard has not been presented clearly at community meetings and warned of public expectation management. Several council members asked for more joint discussion between the city and the school board on consolidation, funding and access to shared amenities.

Price said the team is preparing alternatives to illustrate affordability choices for the Architecture Review Board and to give the city and school system options during pricing. Hudson said the GMP is the end of the current interim agreement and will inform whether the city can enter a comprehensive agreement to finish design and construction.

The presenters noted extensive community engagement (about 150 people at each large meeting) and several upcoming steps: an Architecture Review Board hearing and a third community meeting to present the next iteration of the design and any pricing options.