Boston Considers New $261 Million Downtown School Facility
BOSTON — The City of Boston recently announced plans for a new $261 million facility to serve students of two deteriorating urban high schools. If built, the shared structure will be the most expensive public school ever constructed in the state.
In an Oct. 8 meeting, school officials stressed that the plan would save money and provide a safe, modern facility to students of both Upper Quincy School and Boston Arts Academy by 2017. Both schools are quickly outgrowing their existing homes, and had worked with the state to develop freestanding facilities. However, mounting costs forced them to abandon their respective projects.
School officials and planners considered multiple locations between Boston’s Theatre District and Chinatown neighborhoods; areas critical to each school’s mission and curriculum. Interim Superintendent John McDonough maintains that the multi-million dollar price tag reflects high construction costs in these dense downtown areas, not district excess. He also said the project is already a money saver, allowing students and administrators to share resources such a library, cafeteria and kitchen. “This is a more advantageous plan than doing construction at two different sites.”
The project is drawing many comparisons to wealthy suburban school Newton North High, which cost nearly $200 million when it was constructed in 2010. However, the joint downtown school would serve just an estimated 1,360 students, while Newton North maintains an enrollment of approximately 2,000. However, McDonough is cautioning that the steep initial price tag is still an estimate. Plans may fluctuate based on enrollment and programming, and more complete schematic designs are necessary before a solid number can be provided. Taxpayer contributions also remain unclear, but eligible construction costs may qualify for state reimbursement. Officials may also offset costs by selling or renting existing facilities.
School construction has also become a speaking point for the city’s mayoral candidates. Councilor-at-Large John R. Connolly said, “Students at the Boston Arts Academy and the Quincy Upper School have been waiting for years for the new school facilities they deserve. Although the state will reimburse a portion of these costs, it is well past time that the BPS showed how it intends to complete and pay for these important school building projects by producing a comprehensive long-term facilities plan.”
Connolly’s opponent, State Representative Martin J. Walsh also understands there is a need for upgraded facilities, but is cautious of such a costly undertaking. “Projects like these require a robust public process, as well as a look at how projects fit into the larger plan to ensure that every child in Boston has a great school to attend,” Walsh said. “We need to take a look at where we have empty seats and underutilized buildings and make decisions in a comprehensive way.”
Boston Arts Academy currently shares facilities with Fenway High School and is housed in an aging former USPS warehouse. Meanwhile Upper Quincy is spread between two campuses. Dot Joyce, spokeswoman for current mayor Thomas M. Menino said the mayor supports the big ticket project. “You should not put a dollar figure on what is right for student learning,” she said. “The schools are currently in spaces not conducive to learning and will be in spaces conducive to learning.”
The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has already given their approval to move forward on design plans, and the committee will meet on Oct. 23 for a further facilities briefing. Though Massachusetts lifted its moratorium on school construction funding six years ago, no new building has taken place.