Bond Work & Sinking Fund Project Update: May 2024

With the passing of the August 2023 Bond, Berkley Schools teams are busy planning for upcoming construction projects. In addition to the Bond projects, the District has a list of Sinking Fund projects that are also in the works to improve and update our facilities. The Sinking Fund was approved by voters in 2018. Because both Bond and Sinking Fund projects are ongoing, these monthly updates will include details on both. 

This month’s update includes important details on the new maintenance building construction for Norup and Berkley Building Blocks families, construction update for Hurley Field, ATP & Robotics construction update at the former Cana property, information about the new furniture replacement schedule and updates on all Phase I construction plans (Burton, Pattengill, BHS).

These monthly Bond & Sinking Fund updates will be maintained on the District’s website. See below for updates on the Phase I projects that are taking place in 2024 and 2025.

Project Updates

Maintenance Building - Sinking Fund - June 2024

The new Maintenance building will be located at the Administrative Offices site in Oak Park, at the end of the parking lot, just north of the Norup playground. The work on the new maintenance building will begin shortly. The jobsite trailer, restrooms and temporary fencing will be installed the first week in June.

What this means for Norup & BBB Families

• The construction site will take a large portion of the current Administrative Offices parking lot.
• Families who use the Admin lot for drop off may have to adjust their drop off locations, and/or have their children use the paved path to the west of the lot to reach their school.
• A portion of the Norup field will be blocked off with fencing to ensure a safe construction site.
• Construction vehicles will begin working once the site preparation is complete. 
• Additional details will be shared as the project begins.

The new building is scheduled to be completed by the end of December 2024.

Hurley Field Turf and Track Update - Sinking Fund - Summer 2024

Due to rain and some soggy conditions, some of the work at Hurley Field was postponed during the month of April. To get the plan back on schedule, the turf installation is now moving ahead of the new track completion. The new turf rolls were delivered this week, and installation has begun. It is anticipated the turf and track will be completed by the first week in August in time for fall sports.

District-wide Furniture Purchase - Bond - Summer 2024

The summer schedule for TK-12 classroom furniture replacement is nearly complete. This summer, District vendor Interior Environments, along with the District’s maintenance team, will remove all student and teacher desks as well as some storage units to get ready for the new furniture. The new furniture has been sent to production and includes student desks, student chairs, teacher desks, teacher chairs, multiple classroom storage options and flexible seating. All of the old furniture will be packaged and distributed to students and families who need it using The Reuse Network. The Teaching and Learning team has been working to finalize Phase II plans for specialized spaces. Some spaces will receive their new furniture in August, some will have their new items delivered over Winter Break.

Phase 1: Burton & Pattengill Multi-Purpose Additions - Bond - Fall 2024

Burton & Pattengill Multi-Purpose additions plans are nearing completion. The District Bond team and professional partners have refined the scope of work and will have final meetings regarding the projects during the month of May. Current discussions include planning for the construction staging and blocking off parts of the property for construction. As soon as these details are finalized, we will share them with the respective communities. The projects will go out to bid in June/July. With this work, both schools will have additional work done on their gymnasiums and playgrounds. Both projects should break ground in October 2024.

Phase 1: BHS Performing Arts Wing - Bond - Spring 2025

Berkley High School’s Performing Arts Bond meetings continue while the team refines the plans, finishes and timelines for the work. The team is working on the new look and feel of the Auditorium and backstage areas, details and technology for the Black Box Theatre/Choir room, selections for the instrument storage commons and refining the new auditorium lobby addition. The team will continue to work on the plans during May-July in preparation for the BHS projects to go to bid in October.

Phase 1: BHS Science Wing - Bond - Summer 2025

The architects have refined the drawings for the BHS Science Wing work and are working with the Bond team to refine finishes and details. The Science Wing will be packaged along with the rest of the BHS projects and will go to bid in early October. The Science Wing project timeline includes work beginning once school is complete in June 2025 and the labs reopening in September 2025.

Phase 1: BHS BEAR Complex - Bond - Spring 2025

The District Field House is now named The BEAR Complex (The Berkley Education, Athletics and Recreation Complex). The District Bond team has had many meetings in May to finalize the work for The BEAR. Architects have refined the drawings and renderings for the field house and the Bond team has chosen finishes for the space. The team has also met to discuss details for the outside spaces. The new outdoor field will be ready for smaller athletic events and will include bleachers and lights. The team will continue to refine details to keep a close eye on the project budget and goals. The BEAR Complex will go to bid in September. Work will begin during the month of April 2025.

Phase 1: BHS Pool - Bond - Spring/Summer 2025

The professional teams are working on plans and drawings for the space and will meet with the BHS Pool Design Team to refine the work during upcoming meetings. Pool updates will take place during Summer 2025.

ATP & Robotics at former Cana Lutheran Church - Spring 2025

The District has now closed on the purchase of Cana Lutheran Church at 2119 Catalpa, adjacent to the Berkley High School campus. The District took possession on April 30, 2024. The Bond and Sinking Fund team is now working with the District’s architects and construction management team to plan the construction for the new Adult Transition Program (ATP) and Robotics spaces. The work for both of these projects will be bundled with the BHS Bond projects and will go to bid in October 2024. The goal is to have ATP in their new space by August 2025 for the start of the school year and Robotics soon after and prior to their 2025 build season.

Work on the site has begun and includes working with the Cana congregation to remove stained glass, the organ, lights and additional materials that are being donated to various congregations in the metro area.

Baseball/Softball Fields - Sinking Fund - Timeline TBD

The District is planning to add a new home varsity softball field on the Tyler Field, just north of Berkley Building Blocks. The design team, along with Foresite Design, is working on design details. This new varsity field would include lights, dugouts, concession area and a permanent outfield fence. The work is also being planned to include an outdoor restroom location near the field. Update: The planning work for the softball field and collaboration with the City of Oak Park for park improvements continues.

Planning and discussions are continuing for baseball field upgrades.

Technology - Bond

New interactive flat panels and new classroom sound systems have been installed in all classrooms at Angell, Burton, Pattengill and Rogers along with new clocks. Next up, the flat panels will be installed at Norup and Anderson prior to the school year ending.

Bond Financing

On May 8, Superintendent Francis and Assistant Superintendent of Finance, Facilities and Operations Kathy Konon participated in the pricing of the $78 Million Bond (Phase II of Bond sales) with the guidance and expertise of District financial advisor PFM and the underwriting skills and experience of Stifel Nicolaus. The District team was able to secure a 4.11% interest rate and a shorter term of 24 yrs. 10.8 months. With all criteria met, Superintendent Francis formally executed the Bond Purchase Agreement on May 9, 2024 with Stifel Nicolaus. At the Regular Meeting on May 13, 2024, the Board of Education affirmed Superintendent Francis’ action and approved the Ratification Resolution to finalize the sale of the Bond. 

Team Meetings

The District teams participate in Steering Committee meetings twice a month with Stantec (architecture, engineering, design), McCarthy & Smith (construction management), and SES (engineering and mechanical systems) to plan timelines of construction, prepare bid documents, as well as pour over details of the scopes of work. Each project has a standard sequence of work: design phase, project cost estimating, bidding for contractors, awarding contracts, construction phase (demolition and building) and finally, project completion.