Subcommittee flags modular classrooms, geothermal and emergency access as phasing constraints

At a recent meeting, the Peasley Design Subcommittee focused on how construction sequencing and site logistics would affect the project’s feasibility and cost. The design team told the committee that the geothermal well field is being located to the rear of the site, which could dominate dewatering and laydown areas during installation.

"So, the way we're looking at here is we're trying to locate the geothermal kind of in the back away from anything because if you do the geothermal, it it monopolizes that whole area with dewatering and and just the installation of the wells," Jennifer said while reviewing the phasing diagrams.

Members raised concerns about where modular classrooms ("mods") would be staged and how many would be required. The team estimated up to 12 modular classrooms in a worst-case phasing scenario, with potential to reduce that to ten depending on how the construction phases are sequenced and how much of the existing building can remain in use. Tristan recommended splitting work along an east–west axis — taking one wing offline while leaving offices and community spaces operational — to limit the number of displaced classrooms at any one time.

The committee also discussed emergency and construction access through a DPW-adjacent corridor. The design team reported civil-engineering work to negotiate grade changes for a construction-use access path but said permanent public access through the DPW site was unresolved and would require DPW permission.

Kevin summarized a key operational concern: the B2 option’s phasing "with temporary parking and the modulars at the back … seems really aggressive," noting that the committee will re-evaluate modular placement and temporary parking strategies as the team refines logistics and cost estimates.

Next steps: the design team will study alternative modular siting (including north-of-building laydown and temporary street-front parking), confirm whether DPW will permit construction access, and return to the subcommittee with revised phasing and reconciled cost information prior to the June 9 preference discussion.