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RIDE sign-off, permit submissions and graduation logistics reviewed as construction mobilizes
Summary
Committee members heard that RIDE Stage 3 approvals are complete, building-permit submissions are underway and the project team outlined campus access plans for graduation amid construction.
Committee members on June 11 were briefed that the Rhode Island Department of Education School Building Authority (RIDE) Stage 3 reviews for the middle/high school and elementary complex have been completed, and that the project team is finalizing submissions required for building-permit issuance.
The architect and owner's team said they have addressed planning-board comments, tree-commission comments and road/utilities items and that those responses will accompany the building-permit application. Electronic submissions to the new portal and RI DOT are completed or in process; the team said they are awaiting responses from RI DOT and DEM before finalizing the permit application.
Logistics: the committee reviewed a middle/high school logistics plan showing fencing lines (about 95% complete at the time of the meeting), access points for pedestrians and handicapped parking, and procedures for keeping construction staging clear for emergency access. Staff confirmed there will be gated access points, suggested installing Knox boxes on fences to facilitate fire-department entry if needed, and discussed how trucks may exit through the Turner Road parking area to reduce travel time during summer work.
Graduation: the team described plans to shuttle attendees from a lower lot to the graduation area using two buses on a roughly five-minute cycle and to create pedestrian funnels with caution tape and signage to route people away from active construction. The committee and staff said they had notified neighbors and distributed flyers; they noted some expected inconveniences but said they are coordinating not to stage materials in emergency-access areas.
Timing: the team presented a preliminary baseline schedule showing substantial completion / temporary certificate of occupancy for the middle/high school building as August 2027, with final site completion and final certificate of occupancy targeted April 2028 (the team said the building could receive a TCO earlier while site work continues). Colliers estimated a GMP target of late August to early September 2025 after trade-package buyouts are completed.
The committee also celebrated a recent groundbreaking ceremony held June 2 and discussed posting photos and periodic drone footage to the project web page. Members suggested exploring a time capsule as a community engagement item and asked staff to return with exercise-by deadlines for glazing and other alternates.
The presentation closed with a two-week lookahead noting continued subcontractor bidding and ongoing scope reviews on both elementary and middle/high school packages.
