Tempe board hears detailed Connolly-Curry rebuild plan; Core reports GMP 1 at $12.4 million

DLR Group and Core Construction presented updated plans for the Connolly Middle School and Curry Elementary rebuild, telling the Tempe Elementary School District governing board that Phase 1 work (demolition, earthwork and site utilities) will begin first and that classroom buildings are targeted for occupancy in 2027.

"This is Connolly Curry," said Brian Hamm, project director at Core Construction, as he oriented the board to site plans and the phased logistics. He described fencing, contractor laydown areas and the need to sequence demolition so existing campuses stay operational while new buildings are built in the playfields.

Katrina Leach of DLR Group walked the board through design priorities—safety and security, flexibility and movement—showing classroom "cohorts" with operable partitions, learning commons intended for multiple uses, interior-exterior patios and an amphitheater. "The goal is really clear about boundless flexibility between classrooms, flex areas, collaboration spaces," Leach said, explaining how operable walls can expand or subdivide learning areas.

Core's senior preconstruction manager, Jeff Smith, said GMP 1 is $12,400,000 and covers the field-area building construction that gets the project started: demolition, earthwork, site utilities and early elevator procurement. He said the team is developing a second GMP and expected to return to the board with GMP 2 in about a month.

Board members asked detailed questions about finishes, acoustics, security glazing and operations. In response, architects and contractors said the design uses acoustic panels and exposed, painted ceilings; the ceiling "clouds" are expected around 10—6 to 11 feet above finished floor where noted, and exposed structure is intentional. On glass, Katrina Leach cited CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) principles: glazing improves visibility and officer response, so the design layers bullet-resistant glazing and access-control systems rather than fully opaque barriers.

Board members also pressed on shade and landscape, cafeteria serving flow, elevator locations and ADA access, nurse suite capacity (SFB minimum cot counts were used), and how when athletics and fields are completed the campus will flip certain circulation patterns. Core said the project schedule extends through December 2027 for the major milestones outlined and that the team is in building and regulatory review; foundations and civil packages were expected to be forthcoming so contractors could begin work.

Contractors and the architect noted community engagement plans, including school events and targeted open houses, and said additional commissioning and mechanical startup checks would be performed to avoid issues such as pressure imbalances or unintended door movement.

The board did not take an immediate vote on GMP 2; Core and DLR will return with additional contract documents and the next GMP proposal.