CHICOPÉE ​​— Caolo & Bieniek Architectsa local architectural firm, has been selected to perform design work on the multi-million dollar project to refurbish or replace the Anna E. Barry School.

At a meeting earlier this week, the Massachusetts School Building Authority chose the Chicopee architectural firm over TSKP Studio, which has locations in Boston and Hartford, Connecticut.

“We are delighted to have been chosen for this community project to assist in the design of the school,” Bert Gardner, vice president of the firm, said Friday.

Gardner said the company hopes to sign a contract with the city by December so it can move forward with the project. In total, the project is expected to last five years and cost between $48 million and $64 million.

The state’s School Building Authority will conduct a roughly year-long study that will determine whether the school will be redesigned or completely rebuilt.

Barry School, an elementary school serving 340 students from kindergarten through fifth grade, was built in 1963. It is known for have asbestos problems and not being in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“We don’t have any predisposed ideas about what we’re going to do,” Gardner said. “We hold listening sessions and formulate ideas based on what stakeholders are looking for. »

Gardner also explained that flexibility is crucial in a project like this.

“To ensure longevity, we need to choose the right materials as technology evolves, and we need to make sure common spaces can have multiple functions,” he said.

On Thursday, Mayor John Vieau said he was pleased that a local architectural firm had been chosen for the project.

“They’re from right here in Chicopee,” he said, explaining that Caolo & Bieniek has worked on several educational buildings, including the city’s one.
1st sergeant. Kevin Dupont Memorial Middle School.

The company also has experience in libraries and historic buildings.