Perry Local selects architects, construction manager for new middle school construction
PERRY TWP. – Perry Local Schools recently hired key players to design and manage construction of the district's new middle school.
The Board of Education picked BSHM Architects of Columbus to design the new school.
The project will combine Edison Middle School and Pfeiffer Intermediate School students under one roof. The building will house about 1,200 students in grades 5-8.
The board also selected Hammond Construction of Green as the project's construction manager at risk. Hammond recently has done work with new schools in North Canton City Schools and Green Local Schools.
"The selection of BSHM and Hammond Construction brings us one step closer to creating a state-of-the-art middle school for our community," Superintendent Nate Stutz said. "Their expertise will help ensure that we deliver a facility that meets the educational needs of our students while aligning with Perry's vision for the future."
The new middle school will be constructed on Hartwick Park at 3737 13th St. SW.
District officials said the park, part of the district-owned property along 13th Street that sits between Edison Middle School and the high school campus, would serve as the best location. Officials intend to move the park to another location on the 13th Street campus.
The project will be funded through the state's Ohio Facilities Construction Commission's Classroom Facilities Assistance Program. The district is set to receive $62,253,023 from the state to build a new middle school and clean out and raze Edison Middle School and Pfeiffer Intermediate School. The project will not require any new local tax dollars.
Last May, the state notified Perry that funding would be available for the project sooner than anticipated. At the start of the elementary construction project, the district entered the state's expedited program. That allowed the district to receive credit for work completed on renovations or new buildings when state funding became available.
The district opened three new kindergarten through fourth-grade schools in the fall. The middle school is the next step in the district's long-term facilities plans.
Stutz said the excitement for the new middle school continues to build after seeing the community's response to the new elementary schools.
"We are really looking forward to working with BSHM and Hammond to create a school that is a reflection of our community and our values," Stutz said. "People are really excited for the new middle school."
The design and development phase is expected to take about a year. Stutz hopes to break ground in early spring of 2026. If all goes well, the new school should open to students in the fall of 2028.
Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.
This article originally appeared on The Independent: BSHM Architects, Hammond Construction head Perry Local middle school
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