Construction update: Wakefield school project about 71% complete; interior finishes and site work advancing
July 18, 2026 | Wakefield, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
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Committee members received a detailed construction update showing the project moving into finishing phases and several site tasks underway.
A project presenter reported construction at roughly 71% complete. Work underway includes roof and building façade punch lists, paver and plaza preparation, curtain wall and storefront installations, and remaining granite work at a main entrance. Interior work advancing includes painting, millwork installation in the media center, terrazzo in the learning/cafe area, tile in cafeterias and bathrooms, and installation of classroom doors and hardware. The presenter said 13 of 15 overhead doors throughout the building are complete and that the gym subfloor is in place ahead of athletic flooring delivery.
Site and civil updates include excavation and removal near Lot D, preparation for a loading dock, east-side plaza paver installations, plantings around the school apartment lot, and initial utility work for a future Hemlock Road realignment and parking-lot phase. The team also reported discovery of foundation remains from a former town farm in one excavation area.
Project mechanical, electrical and plumbing work is progressing; presenters noted fire-alarm programming, lighting controls, AV power and controls, and HVAC setup activities tied to preparing the gym for floor installation. Presenters said millwork and casework for the media center and other spaces are being installed now.
The committee was shown progress photos of the media center, auditorium, amphitheater and plazas. Staff said contractors are scaling back workforce as finishing tasks approach and that finishing activities will accelerate over the coming weeks. The committee confirmed a site tour on August 6 and upcoming working-group dates.
Next steps: staff will continue to report construction completion percentages and will provide a reconciled budget for finishing work at the next meeting; members will walk the site during the August 6 tour.
A project presenter reported construction at roughly 71% complete. Work underway includes roof and building façade punch lists, paver and plaza preparation, curtain wall and storefront installations, and remaining granite work at a main entrance. Interior work advancing includes painting, millwork installation in the media center, terrazzo in the learning/cafe area, tile in cafeterias and bathrooms, and installation of classroom doors and hardware. The presenter said 13 of 15 overhead doors throughout the building are complete and that the gym subfloor is in place ahead of athletic flooring delivery.
Site and civil updates include excavation and removal near Lot D, preparation for a loading dock, east-side plaza paver installations, plantings around the school apartment lot, and initial utility work for a future Hemlock Road realignment and parking-lot phase. The team also reported discovery of foundation remains from a former town farm in one excavation area.
Project mechanical, electrical and plumbing work is progressing; presenters noted fire-alarm programming, lighting controls, AV power and controls, and HVAC setup activities tied to preparing the gym for floor installation. Presenters said millwork and casework for the media center and other spaces are being installed now.
The committee was shown progress photos of the media center, auditorium, amphitheater and plazas. Staff said contractors are scaling back workforce as finishing tasks approach and that finishing activities will accelerate over the coming weeks. The committee confirmed a site tour on August 6 and upcoming working-group dates.
Next steps: staff will continue to report construction completion percentages and will provide a reconciled budget for finishing work at the next meeting; members will walk the site during the August 6 tour.
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