January Construction Project Update

January Construction Project Update

The North Ridgeville City School construction projects have passed several significant milestones this winter, with progress on the new high school and the transportation and maintenance facility. Design Development documents for the new high school are complete, and construction on the transportation and maintenance facility will begin soon. 

New High School Construction Progress

Design Development drawings for the new high school were issued in early January. Design Development Documents mark the halfway point of design. During this phase, the building's exterior appearance and the internal engineered systems were further developed, with the next phase focusing on the interior finishes of the school. Drawings were submitted to Hammond Construction, which is performing a cost estimate on the plans, ensuring the current design aligns with the budget, schedule, and overall constructability. 

After the estimates are completed, architects develop documents for a “Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP)” set. The GMP documents are a series of drawings and specifications that focus on the construction details of the building and should be completed in September. They will be used to determine the price for constructing the new school.

A 3D animation of the new high school is also being developed. This model essentially serves two purposes: first, it helps the design team visualize every space and bring additional detail to them, and second, it allows the community a chance to experience the new school virtually and is more approachable than simply viewing floor plans.

The high school’s updated learning environments will allow staff to engage their students in new ways. Modern classrooms designed with flexible spaces foster collaboration and opportunities for project-based learning. Updated technology infrastructure will provide teachers with better tools for instruction and student engagement. Dedicated spaces for specialized subjects, like science labs and art studios, allow for more hands-on learning experiences.

The team is proud of the design outcome and what the new school can facilitate for staff and students in the district. 

The Transportation and Maintenance Facility Takes Shape

The new transportation and maintenance facility will be located north of the Academic Center and combines these two departments under one roof. The main transportation areas include a bus wash and regular bus fleet maintenance space. There will be offices for staff, group restrooms, and a break room. The maintenance spaces include areas for district vehicles, equipment storage, and a workshop. Parking around the building will be expanded to accommodate the staff, while the bus fleet will park north of the new facility.

The transportation and maintenance facility formally breaks ground on April 1st but community members will see early construction on the site beginning in mid-March. 

This new facility provides needed space for these important departments, ensuring a functional, modern work environment to accomplish their goals.

High School Early Site Package and Next Steps

Early site work on the new high school is planned to begin during the summer of 2025. This will include perimeter fencing of the construction zones, installing stormwater controls, underground utility work and preparing the building pad for the new high school. Since the new high school will occupy two of the existing staff and student lots, additional permanent and temporary parking areas will be installed on the campus to help offset the spaces impacted by the new construction.

We look forward to reporting on the groundbreaking of the new transportation center and a community meeting to reveal the high school's interior designs before the school year's end. 

Stay tuned for future updates!