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Bond 2025: RISD lays out two-year phased rebuild plans for Apollo and Richardson North middle schools
Summary
Facilities staff presented detailed multi-year phasing for Apollo and Richardson North middle-school modernization under Bond 2025, including portable classrooms, covered walkways, security measures, and a phased schedule that aims for substantial completion in August 2028.
The board received a detailed presentation from the facilities team on phased construction timelines and safety measures for Apollo Middle School and Richardson North Middle School, two of the most complex Bond 2025 projects.
Facilities lead Lee Estes (identified in the presentation) described a staged approach intended to keep campuses occupied and learning environments intact while moving through demolition, renovation and new construction. Apollo is planned as two large phases with heavy reliance on portables; staff explained that city code, site limits and the age of existing buildings dictated a plan that places many students in secured portable buildings while new wings are completed.
Estes outlined safety and operational features for portables: 8-foot non-scalable fencing, covered walkways (except fire lanes), secured gates with panic hardware, controllable HVAC, emergency phones, full fire alarm connections, cameras and publicly addressed systems tied to the main campus. Apollo's portables are modular buildings with interior corridors and restrooms; at Richardson North, restrooms will be accessed via main-campus passes. Staff emphasized SRO coordination with local police and city-approved traffic-management plans to address construction traffic and neighborhood impacts.
The Apollo schedule described summer 2026 mobilization, phased turnover of new academic wings and cafeteria space, reductions of portables in later phases, and a goal of substantial completion by August 2028. Richardson North follows a semester-by-semester flip strategy around the courtyard to keep portions of the campus usable at all times and also targets completion in 2028.
Trustees asked about active-shooter security in portables, bus-loop impacts, neighbor communication, and shuttle/transportation plans; staff said they have engaged traffic consultants, held community meetings, will send mailers for major events, and will post construction updates on the Bond 2025 website and campus newsletters.
