Schools: Build New or Build Value?

Often, communities consider new construction and state funding as the most effective way to meet their facility needs when existing buildings that no longer serve their educational goals and services. As state funding often increases the timeline, this can lead to several years of not meeting the educational needs of the district and increased construction/project costs, including costs specifically absorbed by towns and cities. Additionally, new construction increases waste and energy expenditures. The desire for a new building and significant state subsidies may seem like the best option, but that does not always consider the benefit of more immediate alterations to existing buildings that are community funded. Through careful identification of educational and facility goals and requirements, we can develop an effective phased development plan. This presentation discusses the process of evaluating the existing building for incremental building and the cost and energy saving of this approach.