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Walking path, drainage and ADA parking proposed for Copeland site; walking path pricing trails $500,000
Summary
Committee heard options and rising cost estimates for a proposed walking path and two planning-board requests: a green drainage catch basin (roughly $30,000) and additional accessible parking, which could cost $100,000–$200,000 depending on an Architectural Access Board variance.
The Copeland Middle School Building Committee discussed options and estimates for a walking path and two requests from the Planning Board on July 14.
Designers presented an updated walking-path plan that required a retaining wall and supportive excavation. WT Rich’s pricing exercise for the walking-path options is trending above $500,000. The team cited support excavation to hold the roadway while constructing the wall, logistical challenges in keeping the road open during school operations, and a condensed seasonal timeline as the primary cost drivers. The design team is pricing an alternative that would tie the path into new sidewalks adjacent to the new school; both prices will be brought back to the committee at a future meeting.
Separately, the Planning Board requested two additions: a green drainage catch basin between the new school front and the turf field, and additional handicap-accessible parking spaces adjacent to the Little League field. Project staff said the “green” catch basin would function like a rain garden and estimated a rough order of magnitude of about $30,000; a formal price will be provided next month.
On the accessible parking, staff explained that grading and sidewalk slopes in the small lot near the Little League field do not meet accessibility standards as constructed. To make those spaces truly accessible would require raising portions of the lot and regrading back to Washington Street, work staff estimated at about $100,000 if the project receives a variance from the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board; without a variance, rework could raise the cost toward $150,000–$200,000. Committee members discussed the human-behavior rationale for a field-level path (people are more likely to walk down the roadway if a field-level path is not provided) and noted that at least one segment of the roadway will require a retaining wall and guardrail regardless of final path alignment. No votes were taken on the walking path or the Planning Board requests at the meeting; updated pricing will return next month for direction.
