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Architects outline timeline, $15M target for Mercer County Technical Education Center
Summary
ZMM architects presented schematic floor plans and a project schedule for the Mercer County Technical Education Center, saying schematic plans go to the School Building Authority at month-end and construction could begin next spring with an estimated 21‑month build and a $15,000,000 target budget.
ZMM architects offered the Mercer County Board of Education a program‑level update on the Mercer County Technical Education Center, summarizing milestones and space planning for career and technical programs.
"At the end of August, we'll submit planning schematics to the SBA School Building Authority and the Department of Education," said Dave Ferguson, principal and architect with ZMM. The firm told the board it expects to submit design development around Oct. 12, complete construction documents in January and go to bid in February, with construction potentially starting in March. Ferguson said the team is estimating about a 21‑month construction timeline, noting current market conditions have pushed typical projects into an 18–24 month range.
Ferguson and a ZMM colleague described program spaces in the plan: cosmetology with a dedicated exterior entrance and safe‑school entry, esports classrooms with “battle rooms,” an LPN simulation lab built to resemble a hospital corridor, a criminology/EMS suite with an ambulance simulation area, and flexible workshop and robotics spaces. The presenters said the project team is planning growth and adaptability—classrooms can be repurposed for future programs and initial layouts will be refined through staff input.
Board members asked whether the proposed $15,000,000 target included furniture and equipment. "Yes. That's our goal," Ferguson said, adding that ZMM has budgeted equipment and will inventory existing district equipment to determine what must be replaced. The board also pressed the presenters on staffing involvement; ZMM said they have met with district staff multiple times and will continue iterative design discussions. The presentation closed with the project next steps: finalizing schematic submissions to the SBA and state Department of Education and preparing educational specifications to support funding and design development.
