Long-range plan update: Cooley Hall demolition begins; design feedback, communications to continue

Long-range planning staff told the board on June 3 that design and early-construction work connected to the district’s bond referendum is underway, with Cooley Hall demolition active after asbestos abatement and borough acceptance of a demolition bid.

Staff said hazardous glazing putty in the building’s windows contained asbestos and that removal required targeted abatement; the demolition contractor removed glazing and frames where necessary to separate hazardous and nonhazardous materials. The district said the site is now largely open shell—concrete openings without boarded windows—and that borough permitting and preconstruction steps were complete and a preconstruction meeting was scheduled.

LRP staff said they are soliciting user feedback on schematic drawings and making functional changes to rooms such as practice spaces, the computer and fabrication labs, and music program spaces. They cautioned that user-requested changes can raise costs; where suggested changes increase cost the team is assessing whether to retain the change or pull back to control budget.

Staff emphasized continued communication with the community and the need to maintain transparency during the implementation phase. The board noted that the referendum’s success hinged on transparent communications and said outreach should continue over the multi‑year rollout.

No formal procurement votes were taken at the meeting; staff said the architect contract for referendum work is in attorney review and several RFPs connected to referendum implementation will return to committee and the board.