Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Ann Arbor Schools to See $63M in AC, Lighting Upgrades

  • By Matt Jones
  • 03/08/21

Last week, the Ann Arbor School Board in Ann Arbor, Mich., approved $63 million in funding for air conditioning and lighting renovations at 13 schools in the district, as well as contracts for future architectural and engineering projects.

Included in that figure are air conditioning and LED lighting updates at Burns Park and Angell Elementary Schools ($3.3 million), Community High School ($8.99 million), Scarlett Middle School ($893,000), and Tappan Middle School ($20.65 million). The renovations are scheduled for the summer 2021 and summer 2022, and each bid total includes a 10% contingency fee.

The school board also approved architectural and engineering service contracts with Stantec of Farmington Hills and Fishbeck of Novi. These two firms are tasked with designing renovations for other projects set to begin during summer 2022 and summer 2023. The lighting and AC projects were marked as early priorities when Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) campaigned for the $1 billion capital bond that voters approved in 2019.

Estimated construction costs of $15 million for Stantec and $14 million for Fishbeck (of which each firm will receive a 4% professional fee) were approved for the following projects: Air conditioning, LED lighting, and fire suppression at Clague Middle School and Forsythe Middle School; air conditioning and LED lighting at Bach Elementary School, Eberwhite Elementary School, Pittsfield Elementary School, and Wines Elementary School; and LED lighting upgrades at Pioneer High School and Allen Elementary School.

During February, the board had previously approved about $15 million of these funds for projects at five of the schools. The ultimate goal is to help the district save money on energy costs and reduce its carbon footprint.

“When you bring in air conditioning, obviously it’s using more energy, bringing up the carbon footprint and general fund expenditures,” said AAPS executive director for capital projects Emile Lauzzana. “We’re offsetting the additional load or cost of electricity by implementing LED lighting and solar power.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Cal Poly Humboldt Starts Construction on Healthcare Education Hub

    California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt in Arcata, Calif., recently announced that work has begun on a renovation project that will turn the Stewart Building into a new Healthcare Education Hub, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Sundt Construction Inc. for construction services.

  • Minnesota District Converts Middle School into Community Hub

    White Bear Lake Area Schools in White Bear Lake, Minn., recently announced the end of a major renovation project that converted a former middle school into a new centralized district and community hub, according to a news release.

  • Western Kentucky University, Gilbane Announce “Elevate WKU” Partnership

    Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Ky., recently announced that it has reached the financial close on a on a public-private partnership (P3) with Gilbane Development, according to a news release.

  • CU-Lock Haven Receives $1.75M Gift for New Entrepreneurship, Media Center

    Commonwealth University-Lock Haven in Lock Haven, Penn., recently received a $1.75-million donation from entrepreneur and alumnus Nicholas Subich ’17, according to a university news release. The funds will go toward establishing the Nicholas Subich Center for Entrepreneurship and Media, a technology-driven hub for innovation and experiential learning.