Camden, Rockport leaders meet with school board about $28 million building project
CAMDEN — Select boards from Camden and Rockport will convene this evening at 7 p.m. in the Camden-Rockport Middle School library to hear the school board’s proposal to overhaul the Knowlton Street campus and build a new school there for a total project cost of $28 million.
The school board is also proposing to schedule a public hearing on Feb. 2, and project referendum vote on Feb. 10.
Last spring, Oak Point Associates architects hired to assess the Camden-Rockport Middle School campus culminated their yearlong process with the last of four public forums. In June, the Camden-Rockport School Board heard the final recommendation from the architects, who determined that building a new school on Knowlton Street would be less expensive than renovating the existing structure.
The preliminary price tag associated with that project is $28 million. It includes building a new 82,000 square-foot building, and leaving the historic Mary E. Taylor building intact but separate from new buildings. MET would house the central office, Zenith Program and Adult Education. The construction would not be disruptive to educational programs.
The existing building footprint totals 120,000 square feet. Oak Point architects noted that for the student population of approximately 375 fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth graders, the school’s footprint should only be 82,000 square feet.
Camden-Rockport Middle School campus history
The original structure, the Mary E. Taylor Elementary School, was constructed in 1925. It is a 28,200 square-foot three-story (plus a fourth-story penthouse) academic facility.
In 1950, a 15,900 square-foot two-story building was constructed. This facility was constructed as a stand-alone building with a gymnasium and stage on the ground level, with locker rooms and a boiler room on the below grade level. It is located to the north of the MET building. This section is currently referred to as the Gym.
In 1955, a 16,200 square-foot section was added north of and connected to the gymnasium. This facility contains several classrooms and science labs. It is currently referred to as the Seventh Grade wing.
In 1962, a 13,600 square-foot stand-alone building was constructed. It is located between the MET building and the gymnasium. It contains a cafeteria and kitchen, a library, main administrative offices, and other instructional spaces. This is the Andrews Wing.
In 1965, a 5,400 square-foot wing was connected to the west side of the 1955 section. This facility contains five classrooms and a consumer science classroom. This section is currently referred to as to as the 1965 Wing (Freshman or K-wing).
In 1980, a 20,400 square-foot section was connected to the west side of the gym and the Seventh Grade wing.
This space has a wrestling room, classroom spaces, a courtyard, and support spaces. A portion of this facility is below sloping grade (on the same level as the lower level of the 1950 gym containing approximately 3,600 square-foot providing space for a mini theater and music room.
This space is currently referred to as the Eighth Grade wing.
In 2000, four major projects were completed: A 1,000 square-foot covered enclosure was constructed to connect the MET School and the Andrews Wing.
A second 2,400 square-foot connector between the Andrews Wing and the gymnasium was constructed, creating another continuous covered space.
An elevator was installed in this connector, rising to the gym floor level; and locker rooms originally in the basement level were converted to storage spaces and replaced by new locker rooms on the gym floor level in the space originally occupied by the stage.
In March, Oak Point Associates had presented four models for consideration:
Option A1: Substantial renovation of the current complex with no additions. The rear of the seventh grade wing would be removed and the basement under the gym would be made usable. The building would be improved to comply with sprinkler and fire alarm code. The square footage would be reduced to 113,000 square feet, a reduction of 7,400 square feet. Interiors would be renovated.
Cost for the renovation only would be $17, 621,602
Option A2: Substantial renovations and an addition. The renovation would be for 49,950 square feet of the existing building and building a 43,300 square foot addition. The renovation would retain MET and gymnasium portions of the building. Total square footage would be 101,450 square feet.
Cost for A2 would be $25,056,075
Option B: Substantial additions and renovation to MET. The footprint of the complex would be reduced to 94,822 square feet, which includes 17,122 square feet of renovation and 69.500 square feet of new construction. The option would allow less disruption to the educational process and make the basement of MET available for the superintendent’s office.
Cost for B would be $23,581,897
Option C: New construction include 82,000 square feet. This option leaves MET intact, but separate from new buildings. MET would house the central office, Zenith Program and Adult Education. The construction would not be disruptive to educational programs.
Cost of C would be $22, 885,682
Read about the March 20 forum: Camden-Rockport board endorses public straw vote: Tear down, rebuild middle school
Read more about the proposals: What to do with Camden-Rockport Middle School: Tear down, renovate, rebuild?
Read about the Jan. 29 forum: Camden-Rockport Middle School concepts floated: ‘Everything in pencil’
Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657.
