Bond Work & Sinking Fund Project Update: January 2025

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. 

The January update includes construction updates on the new maintenance building, construction updates for Burton and Pattengill, timeline for Berkley High School projects in Spring 2025 including the pool, fieldhouse, auditorium, science wing and black box theatre, timelines for the ATP & Robotics space, updates on Phase II projects and technology updates. Visit Superintendent Francis’ Instagram page to see drone footage of both Burton and Pattengill’s additions.

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.

Bond & Sinking Fund Projects - Phase I Timeline

The following is an estimated Phase I timeline for the 2025 projects. These dates may change due to the nature of construction including weather delays, supply chain delays, etc. Many of these projects will impact parking throughout the high school campus. More detailed information will be shared with the community and Berkley High School neighbors once the plans are finalized.

• March 1, 2025: Black Box Theatre Construction Begins
• March 1, 2025: Pool Construction Begins
• April 2025: BEAR Construction Begins
• May 1, 2025: Auditorium Construction Begins
• June 2025: Science Wing Construction Begins After School Ends
• Summer 2025 Construction: Burton & Pattengill - Gym Remodel, Playgrounds, Parking Lots
• August 2025: Pool Grand Opening
• Start of School 2025: Burton & Pattengill Multi-Purpose Additions Grand Opening
• October 2025: Science Wing Grand Opening
• January 2026: Performing Arts Center Grand Opening (Auditorium, Black Box Theatre, Instrument Commons, Band/Orchestra Rooms)
• October 2026: BEAR Grand Opening

Project Updates

Maintenance Building - Sinking Fund

The new Maintenance building is located at the Administrative Offices site in Oak Park, at the end of the parking lot, just north of the Norup playground. Since December, the electrical transformer has been installed, the plumbing inspection has been passed, ceiling tiles are being installed, floor polishing is taking place and tile work is nearly complete. The fiber network team will complete their installation in early February. The building is anticipated to be completed by mid-February 2025.

Once the new building is cleared for occupancy, the District’s Maintenance Team will move in and prepare the current Annex building across from the high school for demolition.

District-wide Furniture Purchase - Bond - Phase II

Phase I of the furniture project is complete with a few punch list items to complete for the all new classroom furniture. The design process for Phase II(B) (art rooms, media centers, music rooms, science labs, etc.) has begun. The design development phase will continue through January 2025 to allow for installation to begin in June.

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

Burton & Pattengill multi-purpose/cafeteria additions are underway. Both additions are scheduled to open in late August 2025.

Burton

Burton’s new multi-purpose/cafeteria addition will be attached to the building at the northeast corner of the playground by the gym. It will house a new lunchroom, a new kitchen, storage rooms, restrooms and will be a wonderful space for collaboration.

Construction Update:

• The foundation work is complete and walls are going up on the addition. Parts of the addition site are inside of a bubble to allow the cement to dry in the cold weather.
• Work on underground plumbing has begun and a new gas meter was installed over Winter Break.
• Exterior abatement took place on the weekends in January where the new addition will connect to the existing building to remove asbestos containing materials.
• For the new playground area inside of the track, fencing is up and excavation has begun to prepare the site for the monkey bars, tubes, swings and shade sails.
• The street-side parking on Nadine plus the sidewalk will be closing soon to the public to accommodate the rest of the construction work. Burton Principal Lauren Fragomeni has communicated the new walking route and street crossing plans to the Burton community once the parking lot and sidewalk are completely closed.

Pattengill

Pattengill’s new multi-purpose/cafeteria addition will be attached to the building at the north doors, in the current concrete area. It will house a new lunchroom, a new kitchen, storage rooms, restrooms and will be a wonderful space for collaboration.

Construction Update:

• The foundation is complete and the masons are working on building the exterior walls. Parts of the addition site are inside of a bubble to allow the cement to dry in the cold weather.
• The construction fence line was extended to enclose the grassy area between the building and playground facing Oakshire for additional underground work to take place. A new concrete area will be poured to the south of the playground as part of the later construction plans.
• Exterior abatement took place during weekends in January to remove asbestos containing materials in the roof areas.
• In addition to the multi-purpose addition, the District is adding parking spaces near the baseball field on Royal as part of the construction.
• During construction, both Royal and Oakshire will have short time periods where the streets will have construction to tie into the building projects. The community will be notified ahead of time when these projects are slated to begin.

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

Berkley High School’s Performing Arts Bond team details were finalized and the bid divisions are approved. The Performing Arts wing updates include the Auditorium complete renovation, Auditorium lobby addition, the Black Box Theatre/Choir Classroom addition, a new instrument commons and upgrades to both the Band and Orchestra rooms as well as upgrading practice rooms. This work will begin in the Spring 2025 and is scheduled for completion in early 2026. 

Phase I: BHS Science Wing - Bond - Summer 2025

The BHS Science Wing planning and drawings are complete and the bid divisions are approved. The science work includes a complete renovation and redesign for the lab spaces, updates to chemical storage rooms, and creating new lab spaces. The Science Wing project timeline includes work beginning once school is complete in June 2025 and the labs reopening in October 2025. Science classrooms will open to students before the labs are complete.

Phase I: BHS BEAR Complex - Bond - Spring 2025

The District Field House project is now named The BEAR Complex (The Berkley Education, Athletics and Recreation Complex). The BEAR Complex includes a 60-yard indoor fieldhouse that includes a new weight room, team room and trainer room, an outdoor 120-yard turf performance field with lights, parking lot expansion and new configuration, and a grass field north of the turf field. All contractors have now been approved by the Board of Education. Engineering reviews are taking place and planning for environmental remediation is in progress. Demolition will begin during the month of April 2025. Once demolition begins, the parking lot will be closed to the public.

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

The original pool scope includes a new HVAC system, new starting blocks, new diving board, updating tile areas, redoing the pool office and restroom and updates to the chemical system. In addition to this work, the team is adding a new filter system, a new timing system and scoreboard, upgrading lighting and additional plumbing work including replacing the water main leading to the pool. Pool updates will take place starting as soon as the boys swim season is complete in March 2025. The additional mechanical work (filtration and chemical systems) will be completed in spring/summer 2026. 

ATP & Robotics at former Cana Lutheran Church - Sinking Fund - Spring 2025

The Adult Transition Program (ATP) and Robotics programs will be housed at the former Cana Lutheran Church. The work for both of these projects was bundled with the BHS Bond projects and all bid divisions are approved. 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. Some work has begun in the building and the work will ramp up in March 2025.

Phase II: Angell & Rogers Multi-Purpose Additions - Bond - Fall 2025

Design team meetings have begun to plan and shape the Bond work for Angell and Rogers multi-purpose/cafeteria additions, gym updates and any resulting playground adjustments. Design teams consist of building staff, District staff, architects and construction management team. These teams are led by Stantec, the District’s architects, and a core team of Berkley Schools Administrative staff. The team is in the Design Development phase of the project and is refining details and working with early cost estimates. Both multi-purpose additions will resemble the Burton and Pattengill designs and function.

Technology - Bond

New interactive flat panels and new classroom sound system installation is complete across the District. The District is working to improve the fiber network and has hired IDS as a technology consultant to assist with Bond project planning specific to technology needs. The new staff laptop distribution plan has begun and will continue through winter/spring 2025. While working through the technology Bond projects, the team is working to secure E-Rate Matching Fund Grants to offset District cost.

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.