Classical girds for next stage of construction

LYNN – As workers put the finishing touches on the library and freshman wing at Lynn Classical High School this month, the city is beginning to prepare for the next phase of the building’s reconstruction project.The city has officially posted a request for bids for the demolition, reconstruction and replacement of support slabs in the building’s administrative wing, setting its sights on a late January or early February start.The effort in the administrative area, located to the front right of the school’s main entrance, will be similar to what took place in the freshman wing and library. The most important part of the project will once again be the replacement of the concrete support slab and addition of mini-piles to help support the building’s weight.As was the case in other parts of the building, the placement of original piles led to the structural problems that caused that wing of the building to sink and warp just a few years after it was originally constructed on top of an old landfill.Because the original support slab began to sink, the walls, windows and stairs began to warp and crumble, creating a serious structural problem.Inspectional Services Director Michael Donovan said the administrative wing would require even more mini-piles that other parts of the building – about 20 new additions to the floor.December will be devoted to completing HVAC and electrical work, along with adding new walls and doors to the freshman wing so that Principal Warren White and his staff can begin to move their things from the administrative wing to their new temporary offices.Employees will also be saddled with the task of moving stacks of books and equipment back to the school from the City Hall basement, where Donovan has been keeping them to ensure that construction or climate changes do not cause any damage.Freshmen will remain at the Classical Freshman Academy for the remainder for the school year, and if all goes well, are scheduled to return to the main building in September 2009.Sub-bids for the next phase of the project must be in by Dec. 17 and official bids in by Jan. 12. As has been the case throughout the demolition and reconstruction project, workers will work second shift as to not disturb the students.