To: James Tokar Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Division of Construction 45 West Gude Drive Room Suite 4300 Rockville, Maryland 20850 Issue: December 11, 2015 Project: Thomas A. Wootton High School Renovation/Expansion Meeting: December 18, 2015 Purpose: Feasibility Study, Community Presentation Meeting #5 Intro: Samaha began the session by briefly explaining what the feasibility study entails and how it leads to develop multiple solutions. The program and site components for the project was shown and existing program issues were identified. The following are some questions/comments that were discussed prior to the design presentation: ƒ Phil Hill, the school's business administrator will be construction liaison during the building construction. Currently, the new building is expected to open in August 2021. ƒ Proposed options aim to resolve current lower level circulation issues, grade transitions, and lack of window in certain spaces. ƒ All the options derived from the study will have costs estimates. The design options were then presented and commented on as follows: Option 1 (preferred) ƒ Greater part of existing school would be demolished to save land by building more efficient massing. ƒ Design team will try to obtain city approval for a new curb cut for northern parking lot separate from bus loop and staff parking in front. ƒ Main entrance at lower level will help improve visual surveillance of both, the bus loop and student drop off area. ƒ Existing parking may be reduced. Student will also lose parking space at shopping center due to upcoming development. ƒ Samaha will try to maximize car parking. Four story entrance at southeast corner will be very recognizable as school is approached from south. ƒ New cafeteria will be visible as school is approached from north. Option 2 ƒ This option has many of the same organizational features and overall scheme of option 1; however, the fourth story is placed at the northwest end as a three story addition. 1 | Page of 5 ƒ
It is a less efficient scheme since it uses land that could be used for practice fields. This option probably will not be included in the study. Option 3 ƒ This option renovates more of the existing school versus option 1 and 2 ƒ The main entrance would remain where it is currently. ƒ Gym entry would be redone to be more visible and inviting. ƒ Existing cafeteria would be renovated into technology suite and new courtyard. ƒ New wing would be built on north side with the cafeteria, auditorium, art and music suites. Option 4 ƒ Preserves and renovates the majority of the existing school. ƒ Maintains cafeteria where it is now; dumpsters and mechanical areas at south end would be screened. ƒ Existing auditorium would be renovated. ƒ Three story addition on northwest end would include technology and science suites. ƒ Since existing entry remains, bus loop would continue to share limited space with car parking in front or could be relocated to north lot reducing parking. Questions and Comments: The following questions/comments were made regarding the proposed design option, sites, and program: ƒ Will cost drive the final option selection? ‐ No. MCPS considers several factors and aims to provide the best solution for the students within reasonable budget constraints. It looks at safety, practicality, best value, future needs, etc. not just lowest cost. ƒ State will require a life cycle cost analysis to justify demolition of existing facilities. ƒ Parking is a big concern, especially with loss of Rockshire site parking. Also, improved circulation and safety at bus loop safety is important. ƒ Samaha has done staging of occupied construction at several other schools, including Walter Johnson High School. ƒ What happens if the separate entry at the north lots is not approved by the city? ‐ The design team will work to alleviate some of the current issues by other methods. The separate entry idea is still a concept at this point. Schematic design sessions will follow. ƒ How are buildings accessible and friendly to the hearing impaired? Please provide choices for seating at auditorium and provision for functional conference rooms. ‐ MCPS acknowledges these concerns and works to ensure accessibility for all types of disabilities. Design team will design an auditorium with hearing accessibility improvements. ƒ What happens to the athletic programs during construction? 2 | Page of 5 ƒ
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‐ The school will coordinate to have games at nearby schools, they will collaborate with other schools to share facilities, and will ensure continued program access. What will happen between now and construction? ‐ Samaha will write a Feasibility Study report which includes cost estimates. ‐ Next step is the schematic design. After another round of community work sessions a Preliminary Plans Presentation is prepared to be approved by the school board. ‐ Planning funds are approved. Funds for construction is not available yet, but construction does not start until summer 2018. ‐ MCPS explained that County Council action on budget will occur in February and community participation and public testimony to County Council is crucial to obtain construction funding. Seneca Valley High School is scheduled to be the next school to receive funding ahead of T.S. Wootton High School, and if SVHS is delayed, Wootton will also be delayed. There are currently 2167 students, but projections predict enrollment to be approximately 2400 students in 6 years. All option in the feasibility study are proposed for the same capacity. Round‐table studies are currently analyzing whether to increase the capacity. Population growth in an area is considered only if the developments are approved. Samaha proceeded to give an overview of the phasing and answered some questions regarding safety concerns: What about student safety? Are there contamination concerns during construction? ‐ Samaha explained some of the measures taken to ensure student and staff safety and the complete separation of construction. Construction procedures take into account sound, fire ratings, air quality, VOC’s regulation, LEED‐rated, and safety issues. Will Rockshire construction cause delays? ‐ No. How will this construction impact the neighbors? ‐ Project construction manager will coordinate with pre‐qualified contractors to comply with strict noise, mud, and dust regulations. ‐ Samaha has experience working on projects within residential neighborhoods. When the site goes into construction, what happens with the students? ‐ Samaha explained a typical phase‐occupied revitalization‐expansion, the construction manager partnership, and how they will prepare the site at different stages. Phasing: ƒ Phase 0 ‐ Involves drilling geothermal wells and placing portable classrooms on practice fields. Contractor will stage on existing tennis courts. ƒ Phase 1 ‐ From July 2019 to August 2021, the new wing will be constructed and the existing classrooms to remain will be renovated. Fields for PE and stadium would remain, but the 3 | Page of 5 ƒ
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auditorium, main
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n portables in i the north
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outh area geets completeed. Phasee 3 ‐ Contracctor complettes site imprrovements. SSome varsityy sports will be temporaarily moveed to anotheer location. B
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advise off any conflictts, additions,, or modificaations you m
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ncorporate. The presenttation and attendan
nce sheet hass been includ
ded for reference. Cordially,, Jenny C
C. Alvarez, RA,LEED AP
R
Samaha
a Associate
es, PC
jalvarez@
@samaha‐arch
h.com 4 | Page oof 5