Officials outline MSBA timeline for Madison Park and say RFP will not lock site choice
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Summary
PFD and MSBA staff told councilors Madison Park’s MSBA eligibility period starts July 1, 2026, triggering a timeline that could move feasibility work into 2027–2029 and construction around 2030. Officials said MSBA procurement requires evaluating multiple site options and that the initial RFP will not specify a single site (such as the P3), though P3 could become a preferred schematic later.
City officials used the March 26 Ways and Means hearing to walk councilors through the Massachusetts School Building Authority process for larger projects and to clarify how site selection and procurement will proceed for Madison Park.
Brian McLaughlin, senior project manager for the Public Facilities Department, told the committee Madison Park’s eligibility period is scheduled to begin July 1 and last nine months; if the MSBA votes to invite the project into the feasibility phase, that feasibility period typically runs 18–24 months, with consultant selection and schematic design following and a Project Funding Agreement expected when schematic submissions are complete. McLaughlin estimated a feasibility finish in late 2029 and potential construction start around 2030 for large projects following the MSBA timeline.
Councilors pressed staff about whether the city can direct the MSBA RFP or owners’ project manager procurement to a single site. Carlton Jones, PFD executive director, and McLaughlin said the MSBA’s process requires the city to evaluate multiple site options and that the initial RFP will not lock a single site. “We cannot go out there and say that right out front that this is exactly what we want to do... the MSBA wants to ensure that we are not myopically looking at a project,” Jones said. Officials added that while the P3 site may be advantageous and could become the preferred option later in the MSBA preferred-schematic stage, it cannot be guaranteed in procurement documents at the start of the process.
Councilors asked whether any MSBA funding is guaranteed; McLaughlin responded there is no guarantee until MSBA votes, with the first MSBA board vote around April 2027 expected to authorize feasibility study participation and design funding. He emphasized that final scope, cost and reimbursement percentages are established in the Project Funding Agreement after schematic design.
Councilors requested a separate MSBA-process briefing covering acronyms and stages (PSR, PDP, PFA) to aid constituent communications; PFD agreed to provide that briefing.
