Board hears four design options for Lamita Park rebuild; approves geotech test contract and relocatable-classroom architect

Architects presented four evolving schematic options for the Lamita Park school reconstruction and trustees approved related procurement steps and site testing at the Millbrae City School Board meeting on May 5.

Ryan Hullman of SVA Architects and Nathan of SBA described two site-built and two hybrid/modular layouts. All options were two-story classroom concepts intended to preserve play and parking while keeping campus buildings operational during construction. Key trade-offs presented included orientation for classroom daylighting and acoustics near the railroad, location and accessibility of the multi-purpose room (MPR) for community use, the feasibility of maintaining a full baseball field versus more blacktop and play area, and whether a hybrid modular approach could reduce cost while constraining certain specialty volumes (library, MPR, admin).

The presentation noted the project budget target near "just under $60 million" and outlined next steps: continued design iterations, evaluation of stick-built versus modular construction, additional stakeholder and agency engagement (examples cited: Division of the State Architect and local utilities), and a lease-leaseback general-contractor RFP that was reported as open with proposals due in mid-May and a staff recommendation expected in June.

On action items, the board approved by roll-call/voice vote a contract with Cornerstone Earth Group to perform geotechnical investigations for the Lamita Park site; the CBO reported a fiscal impact of $42,852 and recommended approval. The board also approved two inspection agreements presented by the CBO (roofing and clock bell PA inspections); the transcript includes the items but the fiscal amounts for those two inspections were truncated in the record and are recorded here as not specified. Separately, the board approved an SVA architect proposal to design a relocatable classroom for Green Hills to address near-term kindergarten capacity needs; Superintendent Hickey cited an architect fee of $38,000 for that work and discussed next steps of leasing versus purchasing a portable unit.

Trustees asked practical questions about traffic and drop-off circulation, neighborhood impacts where classroom wings back up to private yards, acoustics for music rooms, restroom access from play areas and whether outdoor play and field layouts could support U10/U12 youth soccer. Architects said options can accommodate small-sided soccer fields (U10/U12) and that the design team will continue to refine acoustics, sightlines and the placement of specialty spaces.

Next steps: staff will continue design iterations, engage required regulatory agencies and return with a contractor recommendation after RFP scoring; site testing and geotechnical results will inform structural design and budget updates.