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MMSD referendum projects progressing: vertical construction at Phase 1 sites; Phase 2 designs advance
Summary
District facilities staff reported steady construction progress at phase‑1 referendum sites (structural work, geothermal drilling) and presented updated designs for phase‑2 schools (Senate, Cherokee, Tokyo/Orchard Ridge); GMPs for phase 1 are scheduled for a June board vote.
District facilities staff updated the board on progress under the recent facilities referendum. At Phase 1 sites, work is described as active: vertical walls and structural steel are in progress at Blackhawk, inner gym and enclosure work are advancing at Sherman/Shabazz, and geothermal drilling has begun. The team reported that Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) packages are being finalized for board action in June.
Design work for Phase 2 sites is underway. Staff showed early concepts and circulation plans for Senate Middle School and Cherokee, describing efforts to minimize parent/pedestrian conflicts, improve pick‑up/drop‑off flow, and preserve green and community spaces. The team explained that staging phase 1 and 2 work to align with city permitting calendars and local contractor availability is helping control costs and schedule risk.
Board members asked about accessibility features (elevators, adaptive restrooms), abatement and demolition schedules for older buildings, and community engagement around school design. Staff said abatement sequences and summer windows are being used to limit disruption and that community input was incorporated into recent school design iterations. Construction contingency and budget monitoring continue; staff said early GMPs for the first wave of projects are coming in below early schematic estimates and they will continue to manage contingencies as design and bids finalize.
