Selectmen Grant MI Status To Greenwich High Entryway Project

GREENWICH, CT — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday moved the Greenwich High School entryway upgrade project one step forward, as they unanimously granted Municipal Improvement status.

The $2.7 million project is needed because the current entryway isn't secure enough, the Board of Education has said.

Construction would add a new 71-foot wide, by 28-foot deep, by 25-foot high secure entryway, according to the project description from architect Timothy Nanzer of Silver Petrucelli & Associates.

The new entry would be both blast resistant and bullet resistant, but will also be a "functional, thoughtfully designed entry hall featuring glass walls and wooden structure to complement the existing school buildings."

In addition to the new construction, there will also be some interior changes to the existing administration wing of the school to bring the front desk workflow into alignment with the security features of the new entry hall.

In the project description, Nanzer said the impact of construction on the new entryway on the plaza and landscaping between the building and Hillside Road "should be minimal"

"While some regrading and resetting of pavers will be necessary, aside from putting in some new bollards between the parking lot and the plaza no additional construction is currently planned for the exterior areas of the school," the description says.

Once the project gets the final green light, construction would begin after students leave school in June, and the project would be complete in time for February break in 2023.

The project went before the Planning & Zoning Commission late last month as a pre-application.

The pre-application process allows for a non-binding discussion with the commission about the pros and cons of a proposal before a substantial investment is made in developing plans, reports, and studies.

Stephen Walko, head of the entryway building committee, appeared before the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday during the second read of the Municipal Improvement request. He first came to the board on Oct. 28.

During that meeting in October, Selectperson Jill Oberlander asked about energy efficiency in the new entryway vestibule. Walko said the point of the project was not to solve energy efficiency problems at the high school.

However, over the last two weeks, Walko met with the town's Energy Management Advisory Committee to discuss options for lighting in the entryway.

"What flowed from the meetings we had since our last meeting is really a complex discussion regarding energy efficiency. We are looking at ways to improve the efficiency and energy of this one building, however we have significant limitations," Walko told the Selectmen on Tuesday, noting that solar and photovoltaic power are considerations.

"Our area is not that grand of a project. We're really looking to minimize or at least be carbon-neutral when it comes to heating and or ventilating this space and the glass corridor."

Walko reiterated that the Municipal Improvement request focuses on addressing "the number one security issue at the high school."

Oberlander and First Selectman Fred Camillo said they appreciated the committee's work on exploring energy efficiencies. Walko said the committee will meet again on Wednesday to go over the options.

"We know there's severe limitations on what you can do with that building. Certainly anything is a positive. We appreciate the efforts on that, and I know the outcome will be a good one," Camillo said.

Oberlander suggested that as Requests For Proposal (RFP) documents are drafted in the future, that an alternate proposal for various energy related proposals for developers be included.

"That might give us more information and options going forward," she said.

Oberlander also suggested that design-work be included in the project for replanting of trees and access for bicycle storage.

Walko called it a "good suggestion," and Camillo mentioned maybe moving the existing bicycle racks closer to the new vestibule. Oberlander said the bicycle advocacy group, Pedal Greenwich, would be happy to propose different racks and suggestions.

The project will now make its way through the Planning & Zoning process.