Reading School District presents sketch plan for Central Middle School athletic and auditorium facility

The Reading School district on June 17 presented a sketch plan to the Reading Planning Commission for a new athletic and auditorium facility and associated off‑street parking at Central Middle School.

Planning staffer Jerome Skrinkowski told the commission, “We received a sketch plan application, from the Reading School District for the Central Middle School. This is for their athletic and auditorium, facility as well as a off street parking area.” The project site is a 7.34‑acre property at 215 North Twelfth Street; the district plans to demolish an existing building at 239 Locust Street to make room for the new structure and parking.

The plan shows a one‑story facility at grade (with an examined lower level), with each level “approximately 18,000 square feet,” according to the project presenter. The design would provide a full‑sized gym (94 by 50 feet) with retractable bleachers for auditorium‑style assemblies and a lower level laid out for year‑round wrestling. The design team said they expect seating capacity for roughly 900 to 1,000 students when the bleachers are deployed and plan locker rooms, restrooms and vertical circulation on both sides of the building.

Why it matters: the project would add indoor athletic, assembly and community space to a district building that currently lacks an auditorium and would change vehicular and pedestrian circulation on adjacent neighborhood streets.

What city staff and departments flagged: Skrinkowski said the site lies in the R‑3 zoning district and noted a previous zoning hearing board appeal (2006‑74) that granted relief when the building became a middle school. Staff asked the district to coordinate with the zoning office to determine whether an expanded facility will need a new special exception. The site also sits inside the city’s Steep Slope Overlay District; staff requested a topographic assessment to determine whether slopes are natural and exceed the 15% threshold that would trigger additional relief requirements.

The plan overlaps an unimproved alley mapped on city records (referred to in the discussion as Butler Alley or Buffalo Alley). Skrinkowski and the design team said that alley likely must be vacated and annexed to the school property, a process that requires city council action.

Other technical requirements identified by staff include: a lighting plan, landscaping plan, solid waste management plan, signs, a stormwater management plan with erosion‑and‑sediment controls, and municipal improvements and stormwater maintenance agreements. Skrinkowski and the design team also requested review and input from fire and rescue on hydrants, standpipes and emergency access; public works on sidewalks, curbs and ramps; and utility providers on relocation or conflicts.

The district told the commission it does not expect an enrollment increase tied to the project and therefore does not anticipate a substantial rise in wastewater flow. Skrinkowski said staff will compare prior wastewater flows to projected flows to determine whether a Pennsylvania DEP planning module is required. The design team said they expect most of the site is already impervious and that stormwater mitigation will likely include underground storage beneath the proposed western parking bay, discharging to the existing storm sewer at Locust and Walnut.

Neighborhood and access issues: the presentation showed proposed parking on the west side of Locust Street and reconfiguration of access from Clifford Street. Project engineers noted a retaining wall will be needed because of the slope and recommended additional screening plantings to reduce headlight glare toward adjacent residences. The design team and the fire marshal emphasized keeping Locust passable for emergency vehicles, and commissioners and staff discussed the process for a potential no‑parking designation on part of Locust to improve access.

Timeline and next steps: the design team said geotechnical borings are complete and a report is expected in a few weeks. Staff and the district discussed aiming for a preliminary land‑development submission in September to October, with land development wrapped by December or January if reviews proceed on a 2–3 month typical schedule. Skrinkowski noted staff could consider a combined preliminary/final submission since the project appears to be a single phase and likely will not require an MPDES permit if impervious cover remains below thresholds.

Community outreach and site history: district CFO Wayne Garrison said the new flexible space responds to student requests for more indoor activity and assembly space. Commissioners urged early outreach to adjacent residents; one member recommended door‑hanger invitations similar to those used for the district’s prior STEM Academy project. The district said it has engaged internal stakeholders and will expand neighbor outreach as the design advances.

The commission provided comments on the sketch plan and identified the items required for a preliminary plan submission. No formal approvals were requested or taken at the workshop.

Ending: the district team and city staff said they will continue design coordination with public works, fire/rescue, building and trades, and zoning before a formal land development application. The project will return to the commission for formal review when the district files the preliminary/final land development package.