Holyoke Awarded $73.2M Grant for Middle Schools

BOSTON - State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts School Building Authority ("MSBA"), and MSBA Executive Director/Deputy CEO John K. McCarthy announced today that the MSBA Board of Directors voted to approve a grant of up to $73,273,858 for the construction of a new facility serving grades 6-8 on Chestnut Street , and a new facility serving grades 6-8 to replace the William R. Peck School on the exiting site.One of the next steps is for the District and the MSBA to enter into a Project Funding Agreement, which will detail the project’s scope and budget, along with the conditions under which the District will receive its MSBA grant.

"Upon completion, this project will provide a new 21st century learning environment for students in Holyoke," Treasurer Goldberg said. "Our goal is to create the best space to deliver the District’s educational commitments and goals."

The proposed projects would create a 105,460 square foot facility serving 550 students at the Chestnut Street site; while a 105,840 square foot facility would be constructed on the existing William R. Peck School site for 550 students. The District had reported in their Statement of Interest, that the current structure suffers from deficiencies in all major building systems including, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. In additional to physical plant issues, the District went on to report that the existing facility does not support the delivery of their educational program.

"Holyoke students will soon have beautiful new spaces which will undoubtedly enhance and improve their ability to excel in the classroom," stated Executive Director/Deputy CEO McCarthy.

The MSBA partners with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally appropriate, flexible, sustainable and cost-effective public school facilities. Since its 2004 inception, the Authority has made over 1,750 site visits to more than 250 school districts as part of its due diligence process and has made over $13.8 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects.