Carlisle Area SD architects unveil $98M middle school plan; Act 34 hearing set for Nov. 13

Architects for Carlisle Area School District presented plans and cost estimates Tuesday for a proposed new middle school sited between the existing Wilson Intermediate School and the Turnpike and said the board will need to approve holding an Act 34 public hearing next week.

The architects said the full, all-inclusive project estimate for the middle school is $98,000,000, including a $61,000,000 building construction cost, roughly $7,500,000 for site work and about $2,500,000 for a roundabout on Wagner's Gap Road. The presentation also identified a separate “maximum building construction cost” for the Act 34 process of $76,500,000; that number is used in state review and affects post-bid procedures, the presenters said.

Why this matters: The proposed site and circulation changes will affect the district campus, adjacent municipal roads and walking access for students. The architects and traffic consultant argued the campus changes are intended to separate bus and parent traffic, increase parking and reduce vehicle conflicts; PennDOT approval will be necessary for major changes to Wagner's Gap Road.

Site plan and circulation

Justin Doty, civil engineer with Crabtree Robon Associates,…