PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The superstructure of the new Taconic High School is nearly completed.
The city will hold a topping off ceremony next Friday, a tradition in construction projects to celebrate the final beam of a structure being placed. The completion of the superstructure is pretty much on schedule, the hope was to complete it by the start of 2017. A total of 10 subcontracting companies are currently on site working on the building now.
The construction site is broken into multiple areas with the gymnasium and auditorium on the west side and the shop areas to the east. The western portion has been enclosed and heaters are warming the inside to allow walls and decking for the floors to be placed. The heating had just begun this week and takes a few days to bring the temperature up enough and thaw the ground. The roofing is expected to start soon as well.
Meanwhile, on the eastern side workers are finalizing the steel structure and the cranes lifting the pieces into place will soon be gone. That area will be for the shops, with science classrooms up top, and require less interior work. That is expected to remain uncovered with structural and concrete work continuing.
Some of the precast concrete, which will be the exterior appearance, has begun with the building of elevator shafts and some pieces on the northern end of the building, providing a glimpse of the various textures being used for exterior appearance.
Utilities are almost in place, with a permanent gas line already there to power the heaters. The electricity is being provided by a generator but electricians are expected to have a permanent line to the site in short order as well — much of that infrastructure work is also completed.
The site is coming into form. The slanted roof from the designs is clear and in place. The balcony for the auditorium is visible from the inside. The open space for the gymnasium is there and the material to build the walls are on site and workers will still be taking that on.
The precast concrete to enclose the structure is being poured this week and waiting to be delivered. The plan is to have the entire exterior complete by the end of 2017.
The $120.8 million project has been under construction for 10 months now and project leaders say overall it is on time and on budget — though typically construction projects lose some time during the winter and regain it during the spring.
The building is scheduled to be completed and open for the school year of 2018-2019. Then the current Taconic will be demolished and playing fields and parking lots will be constructed.
iBerkshires has been photographing the project since the start. Below is a slideshow of the construction progress.
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Dalton Select Board Argues Over Sidewalk Article
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — A heated discussion concerning sidewalks during Monday night's Select Board meeting resulted in the acting chair calling a recess to cool the situation.
The debate stemmed from the two articles on the town meeting warrant for May 6 at 7 p.m. at Wahconah Regional High School.
One proposes purchasing a sidewalk paver for $64,000 so sidewalks can be paved or repaired for less money, but they will use asphalt rather than concrete. The other would amend the town's bylaws to mandate the use of concrete for all future sidewalks.
The article on concrete sidewalks was added to the warrant through a citizen petition led by resident Todd Logan.
The board was determining whether to recommend the article when member John Boyle took the conversation in a new direction by addressing how the petition was brought about.
"I just have a comment about this whole procedure. I'm very disappointed in the fact that you [Logan] have been working, lobbying various groups and implementing this plan and filed this petition six weeks ago. You never had any respect for the Select Board and …" Boyle said.
Before Boyle could finish his statement, which was directed to Logan, who was in the audience, Chair Joe Diver called point of order via Zoom.
Between disagreements about site design and a formal funding process not yet established, more time is needed before a decision can be made.
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The Ordinances and Rules subcommittee on Monday unanimously supported a pay raise for election workers, free downtown parking for veterans, and safeguards to better protect wetlands.
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A parking study of North Street will be presented at Tuesday's City Council meeting. The design maintains parallel parking while expanding pedestrian zones and adding protected bike lanes. click for more
Amy Schirmer was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year for creating a weekly therapeutic art class at the George B. Crane Center to help those in recovery from substance use. click for more