Holyoke middle school project: MSBA funding returned, demolition contract awarded and 60% design due

The Holyoke City School Building Committee discussed next steps for the new middle school project, saying the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has returned the funding agreement to the city and the project team will submit the 60% construction documents to MSBA in the coming weeks.

The committee learned that the early site (demolition) package was bid in mid‑July and that American Environmental submitted the low bid. “The lowest the whole with American environmental and they were approximately 2 and a half million dollars under our estimated budget,” Mount Vernon Group consultant Chris LeBlanc said. The design team plans a kickoff meeting with that contractor right after the Labor Day holiday and weekly coordination meetings during demolition.

Why it matters: returning the MSBA funding agreement and completing the 60% construction documents are major milestones that advance the project toward contractor bidding and construction. The early site work beginning in September will clear the site and allow subsequent trades to mobilize.

The committee received a summary of the schedule and upcoming municipal reviews. Margaret (committee chair) said the MSBA will next review the 60% construction document (CD) package; the team anticipated MSBA’s review to take about six weeks. The committee was told the city’s planning board will hold site plan review hearings (first hearing Sept. 12, follow‑up expected Oct. 10) and that stormwater permitting is also in process.

Design and technical updates included mechanical systems, kitchen layout, and energy strategies. LeBlanc said the design team is reviewing dual‑fuel boiler capability and is planning rooftop solar with potential battery storage to reduce electrical load. He also said the kitchen is being sized and adjusted to meet the district’s food‑service workflow; committee member Erin asked to join follow‑up meetings with the kitchen consultants and Sodexo.

The design team reported small layout changes to meet code and operational needs: enlarging science prep rooms to meet applicable standards, adding a centralized, locked chemical storage room accessed only by staff, relocating rooftop equipment, and replacing a single large overhead door at the rear with two personnel doors to meet the newer energy‑code air‑infiltration requirements.

On budget options, the committee discussed the “Dingle” scope as an add‑alternate. “We’re going to have the base design and development of the main site and then an alternate ad to include the Dingle,” LeBlanc said. The team will bid the base project and ask contractors to price the ad alternate so the committee can decide later whether to accept it based on bid results.

The committee also discussed maintenance, security and programmatic details. Security and police representatives participated in a design review of lockdown and access procedures, and the design team said hardware and finishes will be coordinated to match district maintenance practices. Interior design work and exterior materials were described as matching the district’s existing palette (red brick similar to the Marlboro school with cast stone and a lighter buff brick accent).

The committee voted to approve the previous meeting’s minutes; the motion was seconded by Peter Tomlin and described as approved with no opposition. The meeting adjourned with a motion and second recorded as well.

Any remaining items: the team will reconcile the 60% estimate returned by estimators, issue a written update to the committee after that reconciliation, and continue prequalification of general contractors and filed‑sub bidders prior to issuing bid documents later in the fall.