Chicopee High project takes next step

Date: 3/7/2012

March 7, 2012

By G. Michael Dobbs

news@thereminder.com

CHICOPEE — Mayor Michael Bissonnette announced last week the Massachusetts School Building Authority has selected an architect for the renovation of the former Chicopee High School into the city's new middle school.

Caolo & Bieniek Associates Inc. of Chicopee will be undertaking the project. Locally, the firm designed projects such the new Chicopee Public Library and Easthampton High School and is working on the new Northampton Police Station.

Bissonnette explained their role in the project is to design the school by outlining the renovations that must be completed by examining the building's structural and mechanical components.

Once that is completed the firm will assemble a bid package for a general contractor, Bissonnette added.

He believes that phase will be completed within the next six months. He said that currently there is a "good bidding environment," which should allow for competitive pricing from companies. The project is slated to receive an 80 percent reimbursement from the state.

Bissonnette once again expressed concerns, though, about what the firm will find as structural issues once it begins its survey of the building.