Architects work on look for upgraded high school

Published: Tuesday, February 12, 2013, 12:01a.m. Updated 27 minutes ago

Renovations at Penn-Trafford High School could begin in May 2014.

But for now, architects and a construction firm are working on designs for the project that will consist mainly of piping, wiring and duct work.

There's not a whole lot of glitz, said Daniel Kiefer, preconstruction director with Massaro Construction Management Services in Pittsburgh. It's a lot of important things, but it's a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff.

Kiefer and principal architect Hank Tkacik with Axis Architecture in North Huntingdon presented the school board and officials with a tentative timeline Monday night for the proposed renovations. The high school was built in 1972 and renovated in 1996.

Directors approved in November the borrowing of $9.5 million to put toward what could be a $30 million project at the high school.

Kiefer and Tkacik said they have monthly meetings with district administrators to keep up with the tentative timeline and create a design that meets the district's needs. Tkacik said the renovations would take about two years.

Community input has played a big role in the design phase, which is ongoing, he said.

Superintendent Thomas Butler said he is pleased with the progress thus far.

Once it's more definite, we'll set up a time to have (the public) come in and look at the plans, he said.

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Architects work on look for upgraded high school