MARSHALL — Plans to convert a building on Southwest Minnesota State University’s campus into an alternative learning center continue to take shape. Speakers at this week’s Marshall School Board meeting said construction on the project could begin in January.
On Monday, school board members heard an update on the project, a collaboration between Marshall Public Schools, Southwest West Central Service Cooperative and SMSU. The plan is to convert SMSU’s Social Sciences Building into a facility with space for her MATEC, a teaching and learning center for students with disabilities, and adult basic education.
Board members learned more about the project timeline and design from Kim Barse of ORB Management, Gary Hay of architecture firm Hay Dobbs, and Cliff Carmody, SWWC Executive Director.
“We started this effort in 2016, and one of our building blocks was to try to collaborate as much as possible.” Carmody said. “We have had great success working with MPS, SMSU and the co-op to bring this project to fruition.”
Barth said the social science building will be vacated in September and renovations will be ready to begin.
“Construction documents have been completed and are being reviewed by the project team.” He said. Construction bid documents are scheduled to be issued on Oct. 23, and planners were also working on final showings for the building’s lease.
Mr Hay outlined how the space within the Social Sciences Building will be used by SWWC and MATEC. The Teaching Learning Center and SWWC staff spaces are located on the first floor of the building, while MATEC and Area ABE spaces are located on the second floor. Carmody said about 20% of the total square footage will be shared space, including a shared recreation and cafeteria area that will be built inside the dance studio currently located in the building.
Hay said SWWC and MATEC staff parking will be on the east side of the building, while student and visitor parking will be on the north side. The north parking lot is currently gravel, but plans call for paving a student drop-off area in front of the building.
Hay said a playground for children in kindergarten through eighth grade will also be built on a vacant lot near the building.
Barth said he plans to open bids for the project on Nov. 16.
“We consider all the information and put it all on the table.” He said. “We will then develop recommendations and notices to move forward with major portions of SWWC, and then look for Marshall Public Schools to approve the sublease of that portion of the space at the December board meeting.”
Barth said construction on the building could begin in January.
“We are cautiously optimistic that it will be the right schedule for us.” He said. If construction begins in January, it will essentially be completed in July.
“We are excited about this project. They were a lot of fun to work with.” MPS Superintendent Jeremy Williams said: “We are off to a good start and we agree that the collaboration has been very rewarding. This will work out well for both of us.”
