BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

 

BOARD FACILITIES COMMITTEE MEETING

MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2006

 

Presentation of Architectural Design Proposals

for the New Broughal Middle School

 

Members of the Board Facilities Committee met on Monday, January 9, 2006, at 7:40 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Conference Room at the Education Center. Present were School Board Members William Heske, Charlene Koch, Diane Rowe, Margaret Williams, Dr. Craig Haytmanek, Loretta Leeson, Judith Dexter, and Rosario Amato. Also present were Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, superintendent of schools; Robert Gross, assistant superintendent for human resources; Stanley Majewski, assistant to the superintendent for finance and administration; Scott Gilliland, director of facilities and operations; Joseph Santoro, principal, Broughal Middle School; Student Board Representative Isaac Sharkan, representatives from the Broughal Community Advisory Group, and representatives from the press.

 

Mr. Amato, chairman, called the meeting of the Board Facilities Committee to order at 7:45 p.m. The following items were discussed:

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS –

 

None

 

OPEN FORUM –

 

No discussion

 

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PRESENTATIONS FOR THE NEW

BROUGHAL MIDDLE SCHOOL –

 

The consensus of the board committee was to award a contract to one of the three firms at the January 23, 2006, Regular Board Meeting, if possible.

                                   

DISCUSSION ITEMS –

 

Architecture Furst PC Presentation

The following representatives made the presentation for Architecture Furst PC:

 

Mr. Robert Furst, Principal

Mr. Thomas Bartek, Project Manager

Mr. Matthew Foster, Project Designer

 

The following summarizes the questions and comments made by the school board:

 

      Mrs. Leeson commented that she liked Architect Furst’s ideas for the SPARK, Freedom High School, and Calypso projects. Do you have any other buildings to use as a reference? Are you building the office building at Broad and New Streets? Mr. Furst responded by saying that there were many projects in the last 26 years, and it was hard to remember them all. He said that he had worked on the Northampton School District Stadium, Quakertown School District Stadium, and Hazelton High School. Also, their design was used for the Liberty sign that sits at Elizabeth and Linden Streets. Other projects that they worked on were the Liberty Lab Center, Freedom Science Wing, and Miller Heights Elementary School. No, they are not building Broad and New Streets, however, the firm will occupy the entire third floor when completed.

 

Mr. Craig stated that he would like to see some of the old architectural features of Broughal preserved, and he liked the idea of making provisions to expand the building upwards if we need too.

 

      Mrs. Rowe asked whether a certain size was designated for the family center? She likes them on the corner. She further asked these questions: Can you add more items from the old building? We would love it! Are we putting the planetarium concept in our budget? Mr. Furst responded that the furniture budget would handle the purchase of equipment for a planetarium. The room could double as a planetarium with possibly adding a domed roof. He further said that for specialized rooms, like a planetarium, they usually enlisted the services outside funders. Their intent was not to add to the cost of building.

 

      Mr. Heske expressed his concerns regarding the athletic fields and elevations. He questioned if the field was too close to the general recreation area; and if so, does it represent a safety hazard? Mr. Furst responded by saying that the plan calls for tiered seating and platforms that would prevent any safety hazard. Runoff from the field would be handled through underground drainage.

 

      Mrs. Williams commented on a picture showing condensation between wall panels. She stated that she was glad that the new building would utilize the latest techniques to minimize condensation between walls.

 

      Mrs. Rowe questioned if the building would be energy efficient. Mr. Furst responded that there is no excellent replacement for natural lighting, and therefore, they try to utilize it as much as possible.

 

 

 

 

 

Breslin Ridyard Fadero Architects

The following representatives made the presentation from Breslin Ridyard Fadero Architects:

 

                              Mr. Robin W. Breslin, President/Architect/AIA

Mr. Gary A. Lader, Designer/Architect/AIA

                              Mr. Robert J. Breslin, CEO/Architect/AIA

Mrs. Gwen Breslin, Designer/Architect/AIA

 

The school board posed the following questions and comments to the Breslin representatives:

                             

      Dr. Haytmanek noted that administrative offices are just inside the first floor. He asked why the principal’s office is on the second floor? Mr. Breslin stated that he felt that this design has been utilized successfully in other buildings he has designed. It enables administration to be visible to students on different levels.

 

      Mr. Amato inquired about utilization of the facility for public events and whether the public would have access to the entire floor. Mr. Breslin responded that he would partition the portion of the building not in use and make people walk around the corner of the lobby to the open lavatory facilities.

 

      Mr. Craig remarked regarding access to locker rooms and their proximity to playing fields. He stated that dirt could be a problem! He questioned whether they could flip-flop the locker rooms with the music room. Mr. Breslin stated that he certainly would look at it. He suggested that students should be required to take their shoes off.

 

Mrs. Leeson had four immediate questions for the architect. With respect to parking and access to the school, she questioned locations for additional parking. What are the additional costs for skylights? There appears to be no opportunity for food service areas in the auditorium and gymnasium to be accessible for public use. What is a “glow at night ball?” Mr. Breslin responded that provisions for 85 spaces were accommodated. Parking along the street would also available. He mentioned it would not be much more expensive to incorporate skylights in the design. The site has limitations as in any urban setting. “As in a Broadway show, you may have to go up or down a level for concessions.” That thinking could be applied to our design. The “glow at night ball” is a lively transparency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Spillman Farmer Architects

The following representatives from Spillman Farmer Architects made their presentation:

 

                              Mr. Daniel Harrigan, Director

                              Mr. Charles Shoemaker, Senior Director

                              Mr. Russell Pacala, Associate

                              Mr. Joseph Biondo, Design Architect

 

Questions and comments directed to representatives from Spillman Farmer Architects by the school board were as follows:

 

Mr. Craig inquired as to the location of the family center and whether it was separate and off of Brodhead Avenue. Mr. Shoemaker responded by saying that like Marvine, there are new rules governing family centers. They are required to have separate entrances for emergency response teams to get in and out of. (For example, ambulances).

                            

Mrs. Rowe questioned whether parking would stay as it currently is? Mr. Shoemaker replied that parking would be the same.

 

Mrs. Leeson questioned if there were provisions for handicapped parking? Mr. Shoemaker stated that handicapped parking would be provided for with access to strategic locations of the building.

 

Mr. Amato inquired as to why windows were behind the baskets in the gymnasium. Mr. Biondo responded that the design incorporates northern light, which is even and filtered.

 

Mr. Craig stated that Liberty High School’s gymnasium windows are facing west. Mr. Biondo stated that that provides for direct light, which is not desirable and would not be utilized in this design.

 

Mrs. Leeson stated that the football field looks considerably slopped and that she loved the plaza. She questioned whether the plaza would become “a skateboard haven.” Mr. Shoemaker stated that the field is level, however, the presentation may have offered an optical illusion. He suggested utilization of decorative fencing to secure the area from skateboarders.

 

Mr. Craig asked if any thought had been given to incorporate any of the old Broughal with the new? Mr. Shoemaker replied yes to the question. It was accomplished at Calypso, and it just needs to be studied.

                            

 

 

 

Mrs. Leeson asked about the computer rooms and where they would be located. Mr. Shoemaker stated that the entire wing is extremely adaptable to reconfigured classrooms. Mr. Pacala showed the schematics of the computer rooms in the PowerPoint presentation.

 

Dr. Lewis shared that curriculum rooms will have wireless capability and that he had not had an opportunity to share that with all architects personally.

 

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:45 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes prepared by:

 

 

_____________________________________________

Joanne Carraghan, secretary to the director of facilities and operations

 

 

_____________________________________________

Scott T. Gilliland, Director of Facilities and Operations