AMS 2012: Capital Expansion and Renovation Project
January 21, 2012
It is truly amazing to think that a year from now Amherst Montessori School will be achieving a goal it has worked towards for nearly 20 years!
By all accounts, the project is going well. We have received two key approvals: one from the Town of Amherst’s Conservation Commission and the other from the Town’s Site Planning Board! After several continuances from the Town, we are delighted that these approvals allow us to move forward toward obtaining the remaining required permits, namely our building permit.
Kuhn Riddle Architects, who have been wonderful, have completed the schematic drawings for the project. Kuhn Riddle is now busy developing the designs into full construction documents. After these are complete, our construction manager, American Construction, will bid out the project to determine the cost of construction and select the participating sub-contactors.
Building Plans
Please take a moment to look at our plans for the new building. The designs provide additional classroom spaces, an art room, a staff work room, a community kitchen, and so much more for the quality of life of our students, staff and families. We have truly made use of each and every square inch of space and are very excited by the design and all it provides!
Timeline
Our current development timeline (and one that our building team agrees will come to pass) is to move our current programs out of our home in 27 Pomeroy Lane after the last day of this school year on June 13, 2012. We are working on solidifying the additional spaces required for the Toddlers and Children’s House 1 at 7 Pomeroy Lane for fall semester of the 2012-2013 school year.
Moving the programs completely out of the 27 Pomeroy space will allow the builders to come in on June 18 and immediately begin site work, gutting our current building and laying the foundation for the new addition. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by mid-December, 2012. This will allow all four current programs and administration to move in over the holiday break (with lots of volunteer help!) and in plenty of time for the start of the 2013 winter / spring semester.
This monumental task will require that each one of us gives towards this great reward. And while certainly there is significant momentum toward fulfilling that goal, ultimately it will only come to fruition through significant volunteerism, tremendous generosity, and extraordinary patience and flexibility from all our families and staff. I am certain that we are up to the challenge, and am excited to see the AMS community hurdling and maneuvering the obstacles to have us walking in the door and happily settled in our new home.
27 Pomeroy Lane, Amherst, MA 01002 