NEW REVERE HIGH SCHOOL

Construction expected to begin on budget, on schedule, says Dakin

Senior project manager expects September 2028 opening

By Barbara Taormina

Brian Dakin, senior project manager for the Revere High School construction project, met with the School Committee in December to update the board on where the project stands and where it’s headed. Dakin told the committee that the design development phase is wrapping up and will be followed by reports from two teams of estimators.

“On February 26, we are looking to have a budget and cost update to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) by early March,” said Dakin.

The next step will be an intense permitting process with MassDOT and the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection. The project team will also need a permit from the Revere Conservation Commission to begin work clearing the site of broken asphalt and foundations from the old race track.

According to Dakin, bids for the site demolition and clearing will be open in March, and by late spring, residents should see work taking place on the site. There will be several more rounds of bidding for different phases of construction, with final construction plans, permits and documents completed by August when the actual building of the school begins. Dakin said several times that the high school project is on budget and on schedule and the plan remains to open the new school in September 2028.

Dakin also addressed concerns about wetlands and flooding. “We have to demonstrate to the state and the Conservation Commission that the site is as impervious to flooding as humanly possible,” he told the committee.

Dakin showed several slides and explained that parts of the site are intended to flood and drain slowly into the marsh. The area surrounding the school will be landscaped to create a classroom for studying different aspects of wetlands for students and as a walking trail for the community.

According to Dakin, 22 acres of the 30-acre site are paved. The design calls for reducing six acres of that pavement. “We’re really greening the site,” said Dakin.

School Committee member Anthony Caggiano asked if some of the space in the building could be used for vocational programs if there is a significant decline in enrollment. A significant number of Revere students apply to Northeast Metro Tech each year. Dakin said that once the project is completed, the district can use the building in any way to accommodate students. Superintendent Dianne Kelly explained how several parts of the school were designed with inherent flexibility to allow for different programing.

There were also questions about using part of the site for a commuter rail stop or a fire station. Dakin said a fire station is unlikely because of the need to keep apparatus away from flood hazards.