More than a year after the community cleared the way for construction through the passage of a $37 million pair of bonds, design work is nearly finished for the planned overhaul of Dowagiac Union High School.

Architects with 7GenAE have completed 95 percent of work on the blueprints, schematics and other plans for the renovation of the high school building, said Dowagiac Union Schools Superintendent Paul Hartsig. The administrator expects the firm to wrap up design work in December, allowing construction firm Skillman Corp. to begin bidding out the project in early January, Hartsig said.

“Historically, the beginning of the year is a good time to go out for bid,” he said. “We feel like we are sitting in a good spot in terms of timing.”

The administration is looking to accept a bid for the work by mid February, with the goal of starting work on the new competition gym in May before moving into the inside of the high school in June, after class ends for the semester, Hartsig said. Construction is expected to take place through summer break and the 2017-2018 school year, with work hopefully winding down by August 2018, the superintendent said.

The high school is one several district buildings, including the four elementary schools and football field, which will receive massive overhauls following the $37 million bonds in November 2015.

Head project architect Scott Winchester and his team at 7GenAE have worked on plans for the redesigned building since the bonds’ passage, meeting with high school staff and students as well as community members earlier this year to determine which features the renovations should focus on.

“Everyone involved in the visioning sessions will recognize what we came up with for the final design,” Hartsig said. “We were able to keep most the elements people suggested in tact as we moved through the redesign, something we are
happy about.”

The renovations will transform nearly every aspect of the building, Hartsig said. The facility will have a new secure entrance vestibule, which will ensure visitors cannot enter the building without front office approval, as well as a new heating and cooling system, new ceilings and flooring for classrooms and a new competition gymnasium on the southwest side of the building, Hartsig said.

The design firm is also developing plans for Kincheloe and Sister Lakes elementary, which, like the high school, will focus on improvements to safety, heating/cooling and the classroom experience, Hartsig said. Administrators want to begin construction on these facilities next summer as well.

Work should begin on Patrick Hamilton and Justus Gage elementary schools as work wraps on the other elementary buildings, Hartsig said.

“We are staggering the work as we move along, trying to get the most bang for our buck,” Hartsig said. “We want to perform the work in a cost-efficient and timely manner.”

Officials also hope to begin installation of new ADA-compliant home and visiting bleachers at Chris Taylor Alumni Field beginning next spring, Hartsig said.

Administrators will continue to provide public updates on the status of the bond projects through the Union Schools webpage, dowagiacschools.org.