A new look

The plan for the renovated and reconstructed South Portland High School is unveiled to the public.

A computer-generated 3-D model of the new South Portland High School was released last week by a committee charged with planning the school’s renovation and partial reconstruction. In November, residents approved a $41.5 million bond to pay for the project, which is slated to start next spring.

The shape and scope of the new South Portland High School is now coming into focus.

A 3-D model of the school, which will be renovated and partially reconstructed thanks to a $41.5 million bond approved by residents last November, was set to be unveiled at a public meeting Tuesday night, after The Current’s deadline.

The plan is to renovate and expand the building, parts of which date back to 1952, as well as to address safety, health, and security issues. Since January, a Building Committee consisting of school board members, school administrators, faculty, students, city councilors, and community members, has been working to finalize the concept plan OK’d by voters. The majority of what will be replaced is actually in a new portion of the building, dating to 1960, which links the original corner building to Beal Gym.

“With the help of technology, we are able to present the latest design plan to the public in 3-D,” said Superintendent Suzanne Godin. “This virtual model allows people to experience walking through the halls of the school years before its completion. We are excited to unveil it to the public and receive input before the final design is submitted.”

“The Building Committee strongly believes that the school should be built by the community,” said Ralph Baxter Jr., chairman of the school board. “We have more than 100 people participating on subcommittees for the renovation. This [open house] is another opportunity for us to hear feedback from residents, parents, teachers and students on the design and plan.”

The new sections of the high school are designed by Harriman Architects and Engineers, of Auburn. Construction is slated to begin next spring and last through 2015. Although the project will not go out to bond until August, 2012, meaning interest rates cannot yet be known, it is expected that the usual 20-year repayment schedule will ultimately cost taxpayers more than $61 million.

“To lessen the impact on taxpayers, the City Council and the [school] board developed a process for increasing the tax rate last year, this year and next year, and setting that money aside,” said Godin. “Either we will not bond as much, or that money will be used to offset payments when the debt in highest. That’s going to be a determination the finance director of the city will be making.”

Godin noted that while some small changes have been made to the plan presented to voters last November, most of what’s new is a result of the building committee drilling down from the initial rough layout to a more detailed design plan.

 “The exterior has changed significantly, in my opinion, from what was seen last fall, primarily to impact the flow of traffic, both in and around the building,” said building committee member Justine Carlisle. “Also, we were able to preserve the sledding hill, which was important to a number of us because that’s something that brings us together as a community.

"The design of the building is closer and closer to being finalized," said Carlisle. "But some of the specifics regarding green design are still being evaluated."

For example, a Green/Energy Efficiency subcommittee continues to study new technologies and systems related to efficient building design, including construction codes, insulation, windows, ventilation, lighting, heating, air quality, moisture control, and materials. The project is two points away from the minimum required to qualify for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED certification provides third-party validation of a building’s energy efficiency.

The Green subcommittee also is looking into the possibility of erecting a small windmill to generate electricity and provide learning opportunities for students.

An improved greenhouse has also been included in the plan. It would be located on Highland Avenue, near the ecology classroom and kitchen/cafeteria.

Carlisle also noted that the library has undergone a complete rethink, in an attempt to envision not only how technology will evolve in the four years before the renovation is complete, but 10 to 20 years further down the road.

 “The library will become more of a social setting, with café,” she said. “It’s no longer just a place to go and look and books and be quiet.”

 “We’re still evaluating the [building] materials that will be used, but it’s astonishing to see how the building has evolved already,” Carlisle said.

While Godin called the open house an informational session, she said citizens can still have a “meaningful impact on the design.”

“We are still working on the theme, tone and feel of the building,” she said. “We don’t have a theme yet, so we’re are still hoping for some good feedback on that.”

Anyone who missed the open house can review subcommittee information on the school department website, www.spsd.org, or can contact Godin, Baxter, Carlisle or Jeff Selser.