Riverside School renovation estimate in capital plan flagged as likely too low

Lauren Raven, reporting on the Riverside School building committee, told the board the committee’s existing-conditions assessment found the building structure generally sound but noted significant needs around accessibility, HVAC and food services.

“The Riverside School renovation is currently estimated at $43,000,000 in fiscal year 20 29 based on an estimate from 2024,” Raven said, adding that the figure preceded the committee’s current expanded scope and that combining prior appropriations for Old Greenwich (about $56,000,000) with an enlarged Riverside project makes the $43 million estimate appear inadequate.

Raven said architects at QA and M have iterated multiple renovation designs and are meeting with stakeholders, including Greenwich Public Schools, to refine educational specifications and scope. Construction is currently estimated to begin in the first half of calendar 2028 in the town’s timeline, but Raven cautioned that costs and schedule could change as the committee refines the plans.

Why it matters: the capital plan figure informs budgeting and RTM planning; if the project requires materially more funding, the town will need to identify additional resources or change scope before construction.