Project team confirms auditorium turnover March 1; punch-list and handrail work to follow

Project managers updated the School Building Committee on detailed construction progress for Lowell High School, reporting that Building A was turned over on Jan. 5, and that the auditorium within Building A is scheduled for turnover on March 1.

Justin Lyons of Suffolk said site photos show completed classrooms and basement-program spaces (dance room, TV studio, chorus) and that the auditorium seats are in place and protected. He added the only outstanding items for the auditorium are the handrails and stage electronics; staff aim to complete electronics commissioning in February.

Lyons told the committee that the permanent exterior handrails are being manufactured in Kansas City and have a roughly 12-week lead time. To meet accessibility and code requirements in the near term, the team may install temporary railings and make other interim adjustments; permanent stone cladding and handrail installation are planned for on-site delivery in April with work carried out over the summer.

Suffolk and Perkins Eastman also reported continuing punch-list work: the team expects to hover around roughly 300 open punch-list items for Building A (excluding auditorium items) with about 30 items for Building C to be completed in the next two-to-three weeks. The consultants said a second shift and targeted Saturday work are being used to complete punch-list items with minimal disruption to ongoing school operations.

Committee members asked whether graduations and other spring events will be impeded. Mayor Leahy and project staff said access will be managed and that front-of-building access constraints should ease after June 19, though some temporary arrangements are expected for spring events.

Ending: Project staff said they will keep the committee updated on any schedule changes, and they reiterated that known punch-list items and any proposed temporary accessibility measures will be presented with specific solutions and timelines for committee review.