Methacton High School renovation: schematic design, traffic fixes and next steps
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Design team presented schematic-design updates for Methacton High School, described site changes that could add queue capacity but remove 91 parking spaces, reconciled a square-footage discrepancy with prior estimates, and outlined land-development and permitting steps toward design development.
School-board members received an update Feb. 17 on the Methacton High School additions and renovation schematic design, including site circulation alternatives, square-footage reconciliations and a schedule for zoning and planning approvals.
Presenters from the Schrader Group and ICS described a revised site plan that would add a separate bus loop and a new bus access off Bridal Mill in order to keep more cars on campus and reduce off-site stacking. That layout would increase on-site queueing by about 20 cars but could reduce staff parking by roughly 91 spaces; presenters said the plan currently shows 861 spaces compared with an estimated need of 857.
The design team reported a roughly 20,000-square-foot difference between the October 2025 concept estimate and the current schematic total addition (83,700 SF previously vs. 103,190 SF today). After reconciling assumptions, the team said the effective difference attributable to the design is closer to about 5,000 SF and that contingencies, allowances and an existing $7.5 million allowance have kept the project within budget assumptions.
The team outlined the permitting and approval timeline: zoning application submission in early March with a zoning board hearing and planning commission review (Planning Commission scheduled for March 26), continued work with the township engineer and the Montgomery County Conservation District, and a target design-development phase through August 2026. The presentation also included floor plans showing the natatorium, auditorium, two-story classroom wing and a new secure main entrance and commons space.
Board members pressed for clarity on the square-footage reconciliation and on how site changes would affect traffic and programmatic use; presenters said they will continue value-engineering and coordination with the township and return with monthly updates to the property and finance committees.