Architect Hired for WPS Renovation Study

08/04/2007 - Voices

Consultant Hired for Washington SchoolBuilding Committee Study

By: Ann Compton


WASHINGTON - The Board of Selectmen has hired architect Peter Bowman to act as consultant in the Washington Primary School Building Committee study which is currently being developed.
Mr. Bowman, who is a member of the committee presently, will resign if he is retained to complete plans for the project. He has given the selectmen a letter of proposal which the selectmen agreed to accept pending the approval of the building committee.
Mr. Bowman will be charged with the task of developing a preliminary design, along with construction costs, by September, with plans available for discussion with a construction manager early this month. Fees would not exceed $6000, with additional $1500 in consultant costs.
Mr. Bowman has already shared preliminary ideas with committee members, which include a picture of the proposed WPS building and floor plans for the first and second floors.
This plan includes keeping the gym as a gym only, and moving the regional office to the second floor of the "old high school building," with handicapped access to this second floor by the elevator and bridge connector.
The first floor of the "old high school" would be a library and media center, and the cafeteria would move to what is presently the library, where a loading dock and garage already exist. First grade classrooms would replace the area of the current cafeteria.
Mr. Bowman noted existing building security issues. He moved the administration and entryway into the space between the WPS and "old high school" building.
The plan also added roughly 500 square feet to the kindergarten rooms. He noted that the existing glass walls in this area are not insulated; there is no ventilation and heating is an issue there.
Some committee members do not believe any addition should be made to the present school, although it was agreed that this plan appears to contain all the space needed.
First Selectman Dick Sears said he fully supports engaging Mr. Bowman for this project. "His expertise and knowledge have already given us a jump start," he observed.
Selectman Mark Lyon questioned the propriety of hiring Mr. Bowman without opening the procedure to other interested parties. Mr. Sears stressed that this would further delay the process, and time is of the essence if it is to be completed by September.
He noted that an important component of this study is to maximize state reimbursement, and added that Mr. Bowman has had substantial experience in this area working with other schools.
The Building Committee met July 31 and unanimously endorsed Mr. Bowman as consultant for the project.