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Peoria Unified awards $569,283 master capital planning contract to Grace Design Studios
Summary
The Governing Board approved a contract with Grace Design Studios to produce a district master capital plan that includes community engagement, facility assessments and KPIs tied to the district strategic plan.
The Peoria Unified Governing Board voted Aug. 14 to engage Grace Design Studios to lead a master capital planning process for the district at a cost not to exceed $569,283, funded through developer assistance funds.
Superintendent Dr. Summers said the engagement would align with the district’s strategic priorities and provide a data-driven tool for future facilities investment decisions. “Grace brings deep experience in educational facilities planning and has worked with many districts facing similar challenges,” Dr. Summers said during the meeting.
Saravanan Bala, partner and K–12 practice leader for Grace Design Studios, told the board the firm will combine community engagement, capacity/demographic analysis, facility conditions assessment and suitability/adequacy indicators to create a prioritized capital plan. Bala described a process that includes public polling, interactive engagement, visual campus assessments and an online dashboard to present findings.
Board members emphasized community input. Mrs. Ewing said she was “really excited” about the community‑engagement tools Grace described. Mrs. Proudfit asked about timeline; Bala replied the firm expects to provide the district with the data needed to support major decisions “by the end of the year.” The superintendent said the contract is paid from developer assistance funds and not drawn from classroom operating dollars.
What the contract covers: comprehensive facility assessments, capacity and demographic analyses, performance indicators tied to the district strategic plan and a data-driven prioritized action plan. The firm will produce dashboards and community-facing materials.
What happens next: the district will begin a kickoff and schedule community engagement sessions. Staff will return to the board with regular updates as the firm completes conditions assessments and draft recommendations.
Board members voted unanimously to approve the engagement. No further financial commitments for projects were authorized by this vote; project-specific construction or renovation work will be presented to the board for separate approvals.
