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Article published Mar 15, 2008 Rough design for new intermediate school unveiled
By Matthew Stewart of The Daily Times Staff
The architects and builder of the new intermediate school on Sevierville Road, which is scheduled to open in 2010, unveiled Thursday "rough representations" of the school's future design.
Maryville City Schools Director Stephanie Thompson said the preliminary work gives the public a chance to see how the architect's ideas had progressed from the Feb. 12 public input session.
Johnson Architecture's Daryl Johnson said they had received great input into the project from the school board and administration. His firm has drawn nine plans for the intermediate school's construction, which leave enough room for a potential second school on the site. Some of the plans were dismissed quickly, Johnson said.
A common theme of all the plans is a shared kitchen between the two schools, which would save more than $100,000 in operating costs, he said. Architects are also trying to incorporate as many green building principles into their design as possible. They have recommended construction proceed with plan I.
Questions were raised from audience members about how they would address the anticipated increase in traffic. Traffic study contracts have been signed and formal studies will begin next week, Johnson said. They have requested the study be done in four weeks.
The firm has looked at how to accommodate parent traffic within the school site, he said. Their current plan will allow 70 cars -- or 140 cars double-stacked -- to drop off their kids, Johnson said. Bus traffic will be limited to seven or eight buses per school, he said. Project manager Kristin Grove said they have designed their plans to be sensitive about running buses through the small neighborhoods.
Thompson said the current plan will be posted on the Web at www.maryvillecityschools.k12.tn.us/.
The next phase of the design will take longer, she said. Another meeting will be called in a couple months after the blueprints are completed.
After the meeting, Lawler-Wood's Executive Vice President Barry Brooke said they are trying to do "what's best for the school system long term." Lawler-Wood is analyzing the utility infrastructure around the site, conducting geological studies and designing the floor plans, Brooke said.
The mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers are studying the preliminary layouts to determine what will be the best systems for the project, he said.
"The reason we're doing all this analysis is so we can prioritize everything to benefit the school system," Brooke said.
Floor plans and elevations will be ready in about eight weeks, he said. Lawler-Wood plans to break ground this summer and the goal is to lay the foundation in August, Brooke said.