CHELMSFORD – Both the owner’s project manager (OPM) and designer are now officially on board as the Parker Middle School Building Project team takes shape in Chelmsford.
The Parker Middle School Building Committee reviewed and approved the contract for Ai3 Architects, LLC, on Thursday, Sept. 18; the Chelmsford Select Board approved the committee’s decision during its meeting on Monday, Sept. 22.
“We have been tracking this project for about a year,” said Ai3 Architects’ founding partner Troy Randall. “So we’re super psyched to be here as part of this process, part of creating something special for Chelmsford.”
Julie Rivera, senior associate and project architect for Ai3, said the firm has been solely focused on education since it was founded.
“Schools are what we do,” she said. “And that includes 28 middle schools over the 26-year life of the firm. We’re lucky to have partnered with over 45 districts and now entering Chelmsford.”
Rivera noted that Ai3 has worked with numerous districts that have integrated television studios into their schools. The firm also prides itself on its consistent cost-control strategies.
“That includes really scrutinizing the cost estimates as they come in, seeing where we can make some edits, constantly evaluating our design process in pursuit of really that most efficient product,” Rivera said. “And that tends to yield bids that do come in under budget.”
Back in the spring, LeftField, LLC, was chosen as the OPM. Since then, the firm’s team of project managers has been working closely with Town of Chelmsford officials, attending School Building Committee meetings and assisting with the selection of the designer for the project.
Next steps
Now that both an OPM and designer have been selected, the school building project process will start ramping up, with several internal visioning sessions and community forums planned in the coming weeks and months.
“For us, it will be a lot of information gathering directly from the stakeholders – your community members, local business members, seniors, students, parents,” Rivera said. “We will entertain opportunities to have these community input and listening sessions so we can hear directly from them.”
The first public input opportunity will be on Wednesday, October 22, at the Chelmsford Elks Lodge, 300 Littleton Road, at 7 p.m. Two additional community forums will take place on November 20 and December 17, both at 7 p.m.; the locations have yet to be determined.
To stay updated on all of the news, meetings and events related to the Parker Middle School Building Project, please visit parkermsproject.com.
