Bond Work & Sinking Fund Project Update: March 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 March update includes construction updates on the new maintenance building, Burton and Pattengill, Berkley High School’s Performing Arts & Pool construction projects, a timeline for the Phase I work, a new name for the ATP & Robotics space, update on BHS neighbors parking meeting and updates on Phase II projects and technology updates.
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 2025-2026.
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 17, 2025: Black Box Theatre Construction Began
- March 17, 2025: Pool Construction Began
- April 2025: The BEAR Complex Construction Begins
- May 1, 2025: Auditorium Construction Begins
- June 2025: Science 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 Addition Grand Opening, plus Science Classrooms Open
- October 2025: Science Labs Grand Opening
- January 2026: Performing Arts Center Grand Opening (Auditorium, Black Box Theatre, Instrument Commons, Band/Orchestra Rooms)
- October 2026: The BEAR Complex 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. The building is nearing completion as the construction team works through the final punch list of work. The Maintenance Team has started to move in now that the building is cleared for occupancy.
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. Design teams are meeting regularly to finalize the design choices to present to the Board of Education at the April meetings.
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 - Important Traffic Update Below
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:
- Interior and exterior masonry walls continue to be built.
- Electrical work has begun.
- For the new playground area inside of the track, fencing is up and excavation is done to prepare the site for the monkey bars, swings and shade sails.
- The street-side parking on Nadine plus the sidewalk was closed on March 14, 2025. The crew has cleared out the concrete from that area to prepare for additional site work.
- On March 24 and 25, Nadine Ave will be closed between Scotia and Henley for underground site work to continue on the multi-purpose addition.
- The City of Huntington Woods has determined that Nadine Ave between Scotia and Henley will remain as a “No Thru Traffic” zone through the construction project. Families will not be able to drop off and pick up on Nadine for the rest of this school year to keep students safe.
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:
- Interior and exterior masonry walls will continue to be built once the ground is leveled.
- Electrical work has begun.
- Site work will temporarily block off 9 parking spots from the staff lot in late April/early May. This work should last three weeks and then the spots will reopen for staff.
- 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
Black Box Theatre/Choir Room
The construction fencing is now up at Berkley High School in the Sunnyknoll lot. This worksite allows for trucks to deliver materials from Henley and exit onto Catalpa. Demolition work will begin soon for the area of the new Black Box Theatre/Choir Room and instrument storage commons. Work began on March 17, 2025.
After the BHS spring musical, the Auditorium, Auditorium lobby and the student drop off loop will close for construction to begin. Families will be asked to drop students off in the lot across from the high school. Students will be encouraged to park in the field across from the high school which will soon have gravel to help with the spring dampness.
Upgrades to both the Band and Orchestra rooms as well as upgrading practice rooms will begin once school is out in June.
Parking adjustments: The BHS Sunnyknoll parking lot is half closed due to the construction of the Black Box Theatre. Students have opportunities to park in the field across from the BHS main entrance until June. Starting on May 1, the BHS drop off loop and parking next to the auditorium will also close for the auditorium renovations. The drop off loop will move across the street. As a reminder, no dropping off or picking up is allowed on Catalpa.
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. Asbestos abatement has begun in the building and demolition of the fields and buildings will begin during the month of May 2025. Once demolition begins, the parking lot will be closed to the public.
Parking adjustments: The BHS parking lot across from the BHS main entrance will close in June.
Until then, students have opportunities to park in the field across from the BHS main entrance.
Phase I: BHS Pool - Bond - Spring/Summer 2025
The pool has been drained and work has already begun on the updates. The 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. The new scoreboard and timing system has been ordered. Additional mechanical work (filtration and chemical systems) will be completed in Spring/Summer 2026.
The Den - ATP and Robotics - Sinking Fund - Spring 2025
The former Cana Lutheran Church has a new name - The Den! The Den will house The Adult Transition Program (ATP) and Robotics programs. The work for both of these projects has begun. Demolition is complete in the upstairs space and HVAC work has started. Some adjustments have been made to accommodate the heavy load of robotics equipment, but the work is underway. The current parking lot at The Den is closed for construction.
Neighbors Meeting - March 12, 2025
The Berkley Schools Bond team invited the BHS neighbors and community to a meeting on March 12 to learn about the construction work and parking restrictions for students and staff. The presentation is now on the Bond website for all to review: BHS Neighbors Meeting Presentation (construction updates + parking challenges).
Phase II: Angell & Rogers Multi-Purpose Additions - Bond - Fall 2025
Design team meetings are complete for Angell and Rogers multi-purpose/cafeteria additions, gym updates and any resulting playground adjustments. Both multi-purpose additions will resemble the Burton and Pattengill designs and function and will have playground or outside space adjustments to accommodate the new additions. The final drawings are being refined along with construction estimates to prepare the projects to go out to bid mid-April.
Technology - Bond
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.
