Abner Gibbs School will close because of age; Franklin Avenue School needs extensive renovation.
This is the former Ashley Street School building in Westfield, the planned site of a new elementary school.WESTFIELD – Several Cross Street residents Wednesday night voiced concerns over potential traffic congestion and the size of a new elementary school planned at the former Ashley Street School during the first of three public hearings scheduled on project.
Those residents, led by Thomas Smith, also cited the impact a new school will have on the adjacent St. Peter’s Church property.
Smith said residents are “not opposed to a new school in the neighborhood,” just the size of the building and the impact on motor vehicle traffic in the neighborhood. He called the project “squeezing a square peg into a round hole,” and suggested a taller building which would take up less space.
But, Mayor Daniel M. Knapik said the state School Building Administration rejected a city request for a three-story structure in favor of the proposed two-story state “Model School” plan for the neighborhood.
The mayor acknowledged ongoing discussion with St. Peter’s and the Springfield Diocese officials concerning possible partial use of the church parking lot during school hours.
And, Franklin Avenue School principal Leslie Clark-Yvon, a member of the School Building Committee, said six school buses is the projection to transport students to the new building.
Among the estimated 30 residents who attended the hearing at South Middle School were those who support the project like Jennifer D. McMahon of Tiffany Circle, a mother of three school-aged children. She called the project “an opportunity for my kids to get a solid education.” McMahon asked about a city-wide redistricting of students and her answer was that that issue will be addressed in the spring of 2013.
The new school, if approved by SBA, is projected to open in September, 2013.
Knapik and the city’s Project Manager Paul H. Kneedler of Skanska USA Building Inc., told the audience the city must file its formal proposal with SBA by Aug. 19.
State approval, which will include state funding of 62.7 percent, could come as early as September.
Cost estimates are $22 to $24 million but officials said that depends on the competitive bidding process.
The school will be built to house 600 students and consolidate students now attending Abner Gibbs and Franklin Avenue elementary schools. It could also house students attending Juniper Park School, which the city leases from Westfield State University. That least expires next year and according to Knapik, SBA refused to consider a smaller population building for Westfield.
Currently 198 students attend Abner Gibbs, opened in 1914, while 328 attend Franklin Avenue School, which opened in 1952.
The school design is by Margo Jones Architect of Greenfield, designer of a 10-year-old Williamstown Elementary School that SBA includes in the Model School Program of buildings that meet state approval.
A second public information session is scheduled July 12 at 6 p.m., at South Middle School and the final hearing will be held July 19 at School Department offices on Ashley Street.