Shovel-Ready Projects in Massachusetts

Recently, Massachusetts requested that various entities submit "shovel-ready" proposals for federal stimulus money. Charter schools have put together a number of proposals which, conveniently, are listed on the first 7 pages of this 120 page PDF.

Massachusetts is supposed to get about $1.2B in total; all entities statewide have requested $10B+ worth of funds. The total requested by charters is about $1B+, so it's clear all projects won't be funded. The state has stated that the most important criteria for funding these projects is how much of an impact the work will have on the economy. Will any consideration be given to how successful these schools are?

Many of the projects seem to fall into the "green" category. There are many window replacement and HVAC projects waiting to be funded. I wonder if these will get special attention because of President Obama's interest in making our country more energy efficient.

I've seen some complaints out in the blogosphere complaining that district schools are not nearly as well represented in the list of proposals. Perhaps this is because districts have the ability to float bonds and access other streams of building funds from the state that charters are precluded from accessing.

A couple of major Boston charter school building developments in the works according to the project descriptions. If these come through, you can add them to Boston Collegiate's purchase of a building in January.

• Excel Academy is pursuing the acquisition and renovation of a former Catholic school building in East Boston. Total cost of purchase and renovation is estimated to be approximately $7.25 million. Renovation of the site will require replacing the electrical system and wiring, wire classrooms for internet, installing bathrooms on every floor, updating interior lighting, upgrading heating/ventilation system and insulation, installing an elevator, and upgrading security and sprinkler systems. Total renovation costs are estimated at $5.5 million.
  
• The Codman Education and Health Center project will build a 30,00 sq. ft. green addition on to the Codman Square Health Center building at 637 Washington St., Dorchester. The project will create space for Codman Academy Charter Public School and Codman Square Health Center, as well as community space. The project will allow for the expansion of the Codman Academy/Codman Square Health Center health professions training program, which introduces high school student to health profession through interships/ mentorship programs. Space created will also be used for community development purposes for art and adult education programs for residents of the community. (Cost: $11M)

• Dorchester Collegiate Academy is in the process of securing a permanent location by April 2009. Our current options will require significant facilities renovation: 1) bringing the facility intocompliance with fire, health, and safety codes and 2) modifications to make the facility ADA compliant. This includes having proper egresses, proper lighting, and proper alarm systems, compliant bathrooms and proper accessibility from the building exterior and to all internal activity spaces. (Cost: $250K)

• The Boston Renaissance Charter Public School proposes to relocate their entire K-6 grade school from their current 15 story building on Stuart Street in the Back Bay to a more spacious 6 acre site in Hyde Park, MA which will have a capacity of 880 students. The new location will enable the diverse school to provide a more appropriate campus setting with greater space and enhanced amenities, including outdoor play areas, that is more centrally located to the majority of students. (Cost: $33M)