Construction plan for new Avon Grove High School advances

PENN TOWNSHIP >> Avon Grove School Board members saw a digital design presentation of the design plan for the new High School construction at their Committee of the Whole meeting this week. Graphics depicted exterior and interior views of the plan.

Land Development Plans have not yet obtained the necessary approvals from Penn Township. The architects plan to discuss the design at the next supervisors meeting on Jan. 15.

There will be a zoning hearing on Jan. 16 to cover a number of planning issues that require variances. Variance requests include reduction of the number of new trees to be planted at the site, reduction in lighting, changes to curbing, signage and parking

space size requirements, relief from noise level limitations and permission to use overhead electrical lines off Old Baltimore Pike.

The plan will go to the Township Planning Commission again on Jan. 22, and is scheduled to go to the Board of Supervisors for potential Preliminary Plan approval on Feb. 5.

The designers are hoping to have the plan ready to go out for bids by March 9 with approval of the winning bid at a special board meeting May 14. Construction could start this summer with the High School ready to move in during summer 2022.

Looking at site views show the lay out of the site, which includes a large wetland area covering about a third of the total parcel which is designated as a bog turtle area. That area will receive additional storm water drainage plus there will be retention basins and underground drainage structures.

The site plan includes a track and synthetic turf football field, softball field, baseball field, five tennis courts and several multipurpose fields.

In conjunction with development of the site, road improvements are being required including a deceleration lane on Jennersville Road, and increasing the length of a turn lane on Old

Baltimore Pike and adding a traffic light at that point.

PennDOT also appears to be seeking improvements to the Pennocks’ Bridge Road intersection.

The board briefly discussed concerns about conflicts at that entrance with traffic at the drive through for the existing Dunkin Donuts property.

Looking at views of the building show the cafeteria at the bus drop off entrance. The building features a full size gym and auxiliary gym, a learning commons/ library with space for 10,000 books and planning centers for teachers on each floor. There is an auditorium planned for 800 seats on the floor level and 200 in the balcony. There are two courtyards, one overlooked by a terrace off the TV studio, and room for outdoor seating for the adjacent cafeteria.

Estimated costs for the building alone are at $75.6 million. With site costs, off-site improvements, soft costs and contingencies the total cost of the project is estimated at $106.2 million.

SUBMITTED PHOTO An architect’s rendering of what the new Avon Grove High School will look like when construction is completed.