METHUEN — The preliminary cost estimate for renovating Methuen High School is $100 million, project officials said yesterday. The estimate was released at a Methuen Building Committee meeting at City Hall.
The dollar amount sparked concern from committee member and City Councilor Joseph Leone.
"I think we're in an area where we can't afford it," Leone said.
Regardless of Leone's concern, everyone on the committee, including Leone, moved forward with the next step in the project and voted unanimously to approve a plan for the school called the "bridge concept."
The $100 million consists of a $79.8 million for construction, plus "soft costs," which includes things like furniture, fixtures, temporary classrooms for students during construction, consultants and architects, said Gino Baroni of KBA Trident, the company hired to be the project manager for the renovation and expansion.
"We are going to try to drive down the soft costs," Mayor William Manzi said after the meeting.
Manzi pointed out during the meeting that $100 million is not a "hard number." He said it's "premature" to talk about whether voters would have to approve a debt exclusion override, which would raise property taxes to pay off the debt for the project.
The state is so far reimbursing the city 61.26 percent of the project, but officials said they can get the state to increase that number by meeting certain criteria, such as including renewable energy technology in the renovated building.
The Massachusetts School Building Authority will now need to approve the conceptual design, and then those involved with the project will work on the schematic design, Baroni said.
Baroni said he's not sure when construction would begin, but the project is slated to last 27 to 36 months.
The plans for the renovated Methuen High call for three interconnected buildings — two "houses" connected by a third building. Officials have created an educational plan for two "houses," one for students in grades nine and 10, and the other for students in grades 11 and 12.
Manzi said officials will see if there is a "suitable off-site location" for students who need to be relocated during construction.
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