The North Royalton Board of Education chose the firm ThenDesign Architecture to be the architect for the North Royalton Schools facilities project. They voted unanimously at the August 14 School Board meeting.
Willoughby-based ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) specializes in architecture, planning, and interior design. They also have an office in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. According to ThenDesign officials, “our core markets include hospitality, sports/recreation, education, senior living and preservation.” The firm is not new to the school/city arena. They have been chosen for various projects in Brecksville, Brunswick, Cleveland Heights, Wickliffe and the school districts of Cleveland, North Olmsted, Willoughby-Eastlake and Mayfield. They are also currently evaluating the Brecksville-Broadview Heights school buildings.
The $88.9 million plan includes the building of a new elementary school that will serve as the replacement of Albion, Royal View and Valley Vista Elementary Schools. Also included in the plan is the demolition and addition to the North Royalton High School and renovation of the North Royalton Middle School.
“As everyone is aware, we are embarking on our facilities project,” said North Royalton School Superintendent, Greg Gurka. “This summer, some roofing, HVAC and tuck pointing was done at the Middle School. On tonight’s agenda, there is a resolution to select our architect and later this month we will interview construction managers. The next step, once school starts, is to start engaging our staff and our community in the visioning process to determine the essential structures and designs of our facilities. We will be communicating that to our community when that time comes.”
North Royalton Board of Education President, Dr. Susan Clark, thanked “the Board and Administration for working through volumes of paperwork in review and examination of all the opportunities presented to us by the various design firms.”
According to Gurka, thirteen firms submitted qualifications for the project. Of the thirteen, four firms were chosen. In addition to ThenDesign Architecture, Akron firm, GPD Group, Cleveland based Moody Nolan and Edmonton, Canada based Stantec were chosen.
The Board had posted the request for qualifications and recommendation of the top four given to the board. The Board ranked them. With the passage of the resolution, the Board has now authorized the administration and legal counsel to sit down and negotiate a contract. If they cannot negotiate the terms with the top ranked architectural firm, then they will go down the list of four. This process is in accordance with state law.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer