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District and architect unveil Northern Shores Elementary expansion; project bid under budget, construction to take about 22 months
Summary
RRMM Architects presented two‑story addition renderings for Northern Shores Elementary, including added classrooms, an enlarged cafeteria, new playgrounds and roughly 92 parking spaces. The project came in under the project's budget estimate on bid day; the district expects roughly a 22‑month construction timeline.
Suffolk Public Schools staff and RRMM Architects presented renderings and a construction update Sept. 25 for the Northern Shores Elementary expansion project, which will add classroom space, expand the cafeteria, relocate playgrounds and add parking intended to ease drop‑off and bus congestion.
Superintendent John Gordon called the work "necessary" to address arrival and dismissal safety and to relieve capacity constraints in the Northern Corridor. Jeff Harris, principal at RRMM Architects, said the design adds a two‑story classroom wing connected to the existing building, a larger cafeteria and a new shared central corridor with collaboration/"breakout" space open to both floors.
Cost and schedule Harris said the early 2024 cost model projected roughly $14.6 million for construction; after adjusting for escalation the team estimated a little over $15 million. The district went to bid and the low bidder came in under budget, enabling several alternates (including the cafeteria expansion, playground relocation and parking work) to be included without tapping preventive maintenance funds. The construction contract was awarded to AR Chesson; the district reported building permits are in place and the final site‑plan review was in progress at the time of the presentation.
Timeline and accessibility The district expects the building work to take about 22 months from mobilization; that schedule means occupancy would likely fall in late 2027, barring weather or other delays. Harris confirmed the design includes an elevator to meet ADA requirements and group restrooms on each floor (roughly six fixtures per group restroom, and staff restrooms in teacher workrooms).
Traffic and site work Superintendent Gordon said the alternates added parking (about 92 additional spaces) and reworked circulation to address curbside queuing and bus turns near nearby neighborhoods. Board members asked whether the district could incentivize earlier completion; staff said they would discuss schedule acceleration and possible incentives with the contractor but cautioned weather and material lead times limit how much a schedule can be shortened.
Ending Staff said they will return with updates as permits clear and construction mobilization proceeds. The board emphasized minimizing student time in temporary/mobile classrooms while work proceeds on the permanent addition.
