New $317M Northeast Metro Tech Building Gets 1 Step Closer

WAKEFIELD, MA — The estimated $317.5 million Northeast Metro Tech school project is trudging ahead after the building committee hired a construction manager.

Rhode Island-based Gilbane Building Company will oversee the building's construction, school officials announced late last month.

The new building will allow the school to increase its enrollment by 26 percent, from 1,270 to 1,600. That is expected to dramatically shorten the district's waitlist, which is about 400 students annually.

The current building has not had any significant renovations, additions or improvements since its construction in 1968, the Wakefield school said.

The biggest issues Northeast Metro faces are overcrowding, an inability to accommodate IEPs, outdated facilities and programming and failing mechanical and electrical systems, according to the school.

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The project is being partially funded by the Massachusetts School Building Authority, which helps support capital improvement projects. The MSBA will put up between $110 million to $140 million, with final costs still being finalized in the Schematic Design Report.

The rest of the costs will be split between the school's 12 sending communities: Chelsea, Malden, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Revere, Saugus, Stoneham, Wakefield, Winchester, Winthrop and Woburn. Cost information will be available in the summer, and residents will vote on the project in the fall.

The new Northeast Metro would bring the school into ADA compliance and make it able to offer expanded programs and IEP accommodations. It would also include a new primary access road from Farm Street to help with traffic, outdoor learning, a new cafeteria, auditorium and gym and more.

"Hiring a construction manager is a significant step forward in the Northeast Metro Tech building project," DiBarri said in a release. "With Gilbane on board, we can now begin to move forward with the fine-tuning of our Schematic Design drawings and cost estimate to build the project. We look forward to sharing these details as they are finalized with our communities in the coming weeks and months through forums, events and regular updates."

The building is being designed by architect Drummey Rosane Anderson.

Gilbane Building Company has worked on vocational school projects in Quincy, Lexington and Danvers.

Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi .