Lincoln Academy hopes to start building its $1.7 million applied technology and engineering center this summer, a contractor told the Newcastle Planning Board April 18.
Landscape architect Patrick Carroll filled the planning board in on the time frame after presenting plans for the building.
Carroll, who was also the landscape architect for the dining commons and tennis courts, mostly talked about planned changes for vehicle access to the center.
Right now, vehicle access is by the narrow, single-lane drive that leads to the baseball and soccer field and a parking area for buses and staff. The school is going to build the center in that area.
The school wants to widen the drive to allow two-lane travel, with a 22-foot driveway and a five-foot sidewalk to address pedestrian safety concerns.
The board will continue to discuss the plans as part of its site review process at a special meeting Thursday, May 2 at 7 p.m. The board will hold a public hearing on the application Thursday, May 16 at 7 p.m.
The center will be a modern replacement for the existing space under the gymnasium, which the school has described as cramped, noisy and out of date.
“Building a modern, technologically up-to-date, safe, healthy and attractive learning environment will attract more students and retain excellent faculty for this important program that prepares young people to pursue further education in their area of interest, enroll in apprenticeship programs, or enter the work force with the basic knowledge, skills and work habits required by employers,” the Lincoln Academy board of trustees said in a December 2011 announcement of its plans for the center.
“The center will be the home for introductory and advanced courses in the technology education curriculum, which includes basic automotive maintenance, automotive engines, automotive performance, recreational vehicles, small engines, machine tools, carpentry, woodworking, electronics, metal working, welding, technical drafting, architectural drafting, computer-aided design, engineering, marine technology and creativity and innovation.”
