School Construction Updates
NLPS Construction
The administration of the New London Public Schools, City officials, the School Maintenance & Building Committee, and the staff of New London High School have been working on the expansion and renovation of New London High School since 2014. When completed, the start-of-the art facility will house a total of 1,631 students in three different magnet school pathways: International Education, Performing & Visual Arts, and STEM.
As part of New London Public School’s long term educational program goals of creating a 21st century learning environment, Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School was identified as the appropriate location for middle school thematic magnet programming. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and International Education, seeking International Baccalaureate authorization will be accommodated serving 750 students in grades 6, 7, and 8.
North Campus (NLHS Multi-Magnet Campus)
New London Public Schools has completed the second of three phases for the North Campus: Schematic Design, Design Development and Construction Documents. These drawings represent the most current work completed in the Design Development phase.
- Schematic Design – The architect, Antinozzi Associates, takes the programming (The list of spaces needed for the building.) and turns them into the preliminary floor plans. The Schematic Design phase was completed in January 2019..
- Design Development – Antinozzi Associates develops the Schematic Design adding auxiliary spaces and developing the exterior and interior elevations, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, site drawings, etc. to the next level of detail.
- Construction Documents – This phase builds upon design development and finalizes all details for construction.
The 50% Design Development Submission printing was done to show the progress that has been made on the project over the last few months. Drawings are included in the set for the various disciplines of work that are a part of the scope: Site, Architectural, Structural, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire Protection, Electrical and Technology. At this point some sheets are more developed than others. These prints are used to review the design with the staff and administration of the high school and to coordinate the efforts of all the members of the team. Within each discipline there are various drawings types that show different aspects of the project: demolition plans, site plans, floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, exterior elevations, wall sections, schedules, diagrams and enlarged details. More information will be added to all drawings as the team works towards the conclusion of the Design Development Phase at the end of July. Then starting in August we will technically be in the Construction Document Phase of the project which will last another five months until the end of the year. More and more details are added to the set of documents in this CD phase in an effort to address all construction conditions throughout the building before bidding the work in early next year and then starting construction in May 2020.
Since the 50% Design Development Submission in May 2019, more and more information has been added to the New London High School documents to now bring the project to the completion of the Design Development Phase. At this time there are three volumes of drawings and two volumes of the project manual/specifications being posted for review.
Drawings
- Volume 1: Code, Civil, Demolition & Architecture Drawings
- Volume 2: Structural, Mechanical & Plumbing Drawings
- Volume 3: Fire Protection, Electrical, Technology, Theater & Food Service Drawings
Project Manual/Specifications
- Volume 1: Structural, Architectural & Theatrical Specifications
- Volume 2: Fire Protection, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical & Site Specifications
The completion of this phase of the work brings the project to a point where the documents are sufficiently developed to allow another round of cost estimating to be done by the Construction Manager and the independent estimating firm working for the design team. Because more information and details are contained in this set of documents, the estimating process can be more accurate than what was done at the end of the Schematic Design Phase back in January 2019. This budgeting effort will take place during the month of July and then a reconciliation process comparing the two estimates will take place in early August to determine if the project is within the construction budget.
The completed DD documents are used to review the design with the staff and administration of the high school and to coordinate the work of all the members of the project team. The Construction Manager will also use the DD drawings to prepare a detailed phasing plan for the renovation portions of the work.
The project next proceeds into the Construction Document Phase of the project which will last until the end of the year. More and more details will continue to be added to the set of documents in this CD phase in an effort to address all construction conditions throughout the building. After the necessary local and State approvals are in place for the project in early 2020, it is anticipated that bidding the work will take place in late winter/early spring next year with construction starting in May 2020.
* We will continue to update this page as the New London Public School construction project moves forward
South Campus (BDJ Multi-Magnet Middle School Campus)
As part of New London Public School’s long term educational program goals of creating a 21st century learning environment, Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School was identified as the appropriate location for middle school thematic magnet programming. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and International Education, seeking International Baccalaureate authorization will be accommodated serving 750 students in grades 6, 7, and 8.
Originally constructed in 1951 with a major addition completed in 1993, the BDJMS also includes an older 1935 wing that was part of a larger building previously demolished. This Alteration and Addition project will consist of adding and improving Heating, Cooling and Ventilation to the entire building, Alteration of the interior of the 1951 and 1993 wings, and Demolition to the remaining 1935 building. A new addition will be built to enhance circulation throughout the building and house music and art programs. An enlarged interior courtyard will be created within this addition which will allow for enhanced outdoor programming and educational opportunities. Interior alterations will allow school programming to allow for 6, 7, and 8th grades to be designed in their own wings creating grade level communities. This $45M Project will be constructed in multiple phases with full building occupancy, and an anticipated final completion of Fall 2023.
The Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School project provides the City of New London with a well-planned and efficient 21st Century Learning and teaching environment suitable and appropriate for 6, 7 & 8th grade students and teachers. Moreover, the proposed expansion provides a compact construction area, minimizing the construction zone and consolidating the area of disturbance. This approach also removes inefficient and poorly utilized older structures that would absorb significant portions of the City’s limited funding allocation.
This project provides an excellent return on investment demonstrating to New London’s community a significant betterment of one of the City’s older school buildings.
Resources
Please find a list of communications and information regarding the NLHS Multi-Magnet Construction and BDJ Multi-Magnet Middle School Construction.