STRATFIELD SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

What's Happened Thus Far

In January this year, Fairfield's Representative Town Meeting unanimously approved $17.3 million in funding for the extensive renovation of Stratfield School. Built in 1929, Stratfield is the town's oldest elementary school and was last updated in 1972 with the addition of the gym and administrative offices.

The renovation features a new eight classroom-wing at the southeast corner of the existing building; an expanded media center and dedicated music, band, and art rooms; a complete overhaul and replacement of the mechanical systems (including the installation of air conditioning); a new entrance with an all-weather canopy at the rear of the school; and comprehensive site changes with improved access for buses and cars and additional parking for faculty, staff, and parents.

What's Next

Excavation for the new eight-classroom addition will begin in late January 2010. Assuming the project stays on schedule, the portable classrooms will be removed during the summer, with the new classrooms in use for the 2010-2011 school year. The full schedule is as follows (click highlighted links for schematic drawings):

Phase 1 (asbestos mitigation; removal of oil tanks): Completed Summer 2009;

Phase 2 (eight classroom addition): January 2010-September 2010;

Phase 3 (renovate east classrooms, all levels): June 2010-September 2010;

Phase 4 (demolition of portables, site work): June 2010-September 2010;

Phase 5 (build new administration addition): July 2010-February 2011;

Phases 6 and 7 (renovate south classrooms, all levels): October 2010-June 2011;

Phase 8 (renovation gym, cafeteria, kitchen, and media center): June 2011-September 2011;

Phase 9 (bus canopy, courtyard, site work): June 2011-September 2011;

Phase 10 (renovate existing administration area): June 2011-September 2011;

Phase 11 (complete site work): July 2011-September 2011.

Earlier this month, the single lane access road linking the Dorothy Street entrance with the rear of the school was widened and covered with gravel, allowing for two-way traffic in and out of the current drop-off area. A separate temporary road, for construction vehicles only, will branch off to the playing field.

The playing field (which becomes parking for work vehicles), the rear playground, and the east side of the school will be restricted to construction personnel only during most, if not all construction phases. Construction areas will be secured by appropriate fencing.

What You Need To Do

Vehicular access to the rear of the school for drop-off and pick-up will continue during construction, with construction traffic suspended during those times. Nonetheless, parents should expect increased congestion at peak times, particularly on Melville Avenue.

Site access and parking availability will change during the various project phases. To understand the logistics for each phase, please select the appropriate link below:

Phase 2: January 2010-August 2010;

Phases 3 and 4: June 2010-September 2010;

Phase 5: July 2010-February 2011;

Phases 6 and 7: October 2010-June 2011;

Phases 8, 9, and 10: June 2011-September 2011;

Phase 11: July 2011-September 2011.

Parents who can avoid driving their children should consider walking. If you must drive, consider car pooling with other parents and/or parking on adjacent streets such as Montauk or on Melville Avenue between Montauk Street and Linley Drive. Also, parents should expect little to no available onsite parking during school hours. Most of all, stay patient!

Stratfield Building Committee chair Al Kelly requested that parents direct questions, comments, or concerns about the renovation project to school principal Thom Pesce. Parents should only approach the construction manager or site superintendent to address immediate safety issues.

A significant amount of information about the project, including floor plans and schematics, is available on this page. Renovation updates also are provided at the monthly Stratfield PTA meetings. The Stratfield Building Committee meets monthly, with meeting schedules and agendas available at www.fairfieldct.org.

For other questions, comments, or concerns, please email PTA building committee liaisons Stu Buhrendorf and Joe Budd at buildingliaison@stratfieldpta.org.

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Construction Estimates

Lower Level Plan (Media Center)

Main Level Plan (Offices)

Second Floor Plan

Site Plan - Awaiting Redesign

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Stratfield Building Committee

Elected Officials to Contact

Fairfield Town Calendar for Meetings

PTA Liaison Contact

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Renovation Information Archives