RACINE, Wis. — The Racine Unified School District board heard a design‑development update for Gilmore Fine Arts K–8 on the planned renovation that would expand the auditorium, reconfigure locker and fine‑arts spaces and renovate three second‑floor science rooms.

Frank Gartner of Bloom Companies LLC described the project scope, saying the auditorium work will remove a dividing partition and add a permanent stage extension, new seating and upgraded lighting. “The overall seating capacity will be upwards of 500 after the renovation,” Gartner said during the presentation. The plan also relocates the dance studio to create a new fitness room and adds storage and staff spaces previously used as oversized locker rooms.

Gartner outlined building systems work including generator placement, ADA parking adjustments, MEP control and IT room upgrades, and light touch renovations to common areas. The district noted an alternate to add exterior classroom windows — a previously discussed feature — but staff said that option would cost roughly north of $850,000 and is not included in the current project budget.

During board Q&A members pressed for details on seat types, off‑stage changing rooms and potential acoustic improvements. Staff said acoustical panels and upgraded ceiling tile are included or planned as alternates, and the sound board will be relocated from the mezzanine to the main auditorium level to improve control access.

In a separate item on the same project, district staff reported that the highest‑scored vendor for construction manager‑at‑risk services is Shear Construction Company Inc. “We will recommend at this month’s business meeting that the board approve the award of RFP 20Six‑01R to Shear Construction Company Inc in the amount of $582,346,” staff stated. That recommendation will appear as an action item at the upcoming business meeting; no final award was taken at the work session.

The design presentation was informational; staff confirmed the formal action to award the CMAR contract will be scheduled for the board’s business meeting where members may vote on the recommendation.