MMS rendering

Milford Middle School project moves forward

Terry RogersEducation, Headlines, Milford Headline Story

MMS rendering

Milford School District has chosen an architect bringing the MMS project one step closer to completion

With the Milford School Board approving the bid from BSA+A for architectural engineering services for the remodeling of the Milford Middle School on Lakeview Avenue, the project has moved one step farther toward completion. BSA+A will lead the processes for developing the design and site plan for the project.

“We will be collaborating with BSA+A and our construction management team throughout the design processes,” Trish Gerken, Public Information Officer, said. “We will be meeting soon with BSA+A and our construction management team to discuss timelines, next steps and site prep. BSA+A will assist us in gathering input from various stakeholders of our district community to finalize a design and site plan.”

Public meetings will be held to solicit community input throughout the design and site plan process, Gerken explained. The meetings will be advertised and communicated so that there can be significant involvement from the community. As the project phases continue, the district plans to communicate a timeline and the next steps for the project.

“We remain committed to transparency throughout the process and will maintain communication with the community throughout the completion of the process,” Dr. Sara Croce, Chief Financial Officer, said. “We are still in the early stages of confirming our plans. We will provide updates throughout the design, site prep and construction aspects of the project.”

Part of the communication to the public will include anticipated time periods for site preparation work and demolition. During public meetings held prior to a referendum that passed in October, an independent engineering firm inspected the building thoroughly and found that the older, original portion of the school, built in the 1920s, could be salvaged although it would need significant work done to the interior. The newer wings added over the years had deteriorated to the point they needed to be demolished. However, the building could be configured so that new wings could be added that would allow the building to keep its original appearance.

The building does have historic benefit to the city as it was the original Milford High School. It was the school briefly attended by the Milford Eleven, the first black students who attempted to integrate the district in 1954. The Milford Seven were successful in integrating the same building a decade later. Many community meetings were held before the referendum and the public overwhelmingly requested that the building remain a school. The district’s referendum approved the project which will create a school for grades five and six.

“We look forward to the design process,” Dr. Kevin Dickerson, Superintendent, said. “We are excited that we will soon be gathering input from our school staff and community. Input from our district community is critically important to the success of the project so that we can best serve our students and entire district community.”

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