More Architects Visit Geary; School Board Picks Partner

GEARY – After listening to pitches from TAB Architecture and Kerr 3 Architects on Monday evening, the Geary community gathered at the Stegall Long Fieldhouse again on Tuesday night for a presentation from two more firms.

The presentations come as Geary weighs whether to pursue major renovations or new construction for its aging public school facilities.

Renaissance Architecture, an Oklahoma City-based firm, and Norman’s Architects in Partnership visited the fieldhouse Tuesday to pitch their visions for Geary schools. Renaissance, which spoke first, said it has been involved in numerous K-12 construction projects across the state, including in Cashion, Piedmont and Elk City.

It gave a slideshow presentation of some of its work.

Lori Packwood, Renaissance’s community relations manager, said Renaissance and Geary schools are “a match made in heaven.”

“We are really excited for the opportunity to come present our company to your community,” Packwood said. “We ask that you choose us to help you with your project in the future.”

Renaissance didn’t estimate how large a new Geary school or schools would ultimately be, saying it will be determined by the number of students and the district’s needs. Recent projects are averaging between $250 and $300 per square foot, said Renaissance vice president Socrates Lazaridis. and square footage is your budget,” Lazaridis said. “What is your bond capability, what can you get? Your bond advisor will tell you that.”

Later, during its presentation, AIP architects suggested that Geary consider building a modest facility with an eye toward expansion in the future, should the student population grow. AIP principal Matt Graves said the district could work in stages.

“That’s a possibility, too,” Graves said. “There are creative ways to replace some square footage that you currently have … and in the future come back and plug in a middle school, or an elementary school. We design it so it can be easily expanded.”

AIP’s K-12 projects have included Norman North High School, Minco High School, Hinton High School, Chickasha High School, and additional projects in Enid, Hydro-Eakly, Merritt and Ardmore.

School board picks Kerr 3

During its regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 6, the Geary School Board voted to work with Kerr 3 Architects, an Edmond firm, to “guide the district’s formal investigation into capital improvement projects.”

Board members Afton Jameson, Cecil Harrall and Jason Bernhardt voted in favor of the selection, and Lou Richey voted against it. Richey expressed concerns with the selection process, saying she doesn’t want to pay any firm a percentage of a potential bond – she would prefer a fee-based payment structure – and questioning whether the district has engaged enough with the community.

Superintendent Sean Buchanan said the district will not owe Kerr 3 any money by selecting it on Monday, but can now move forward with more detailed plans about renovating or replacing school facilities. He said the district held multiple community meetings and face-to-face discussions before deciding to move forward with Kerr 3 and potential future projects.