The ongoing construction and renovation of the Lowell High School has encountered significant challenges, leading to an increase in costs to nearly $422 million. At a recent meeting on September 18, 2023, representatives from Suffolk Construction provided an update that revealed ongoing issues with the project, which has been fraught with unforeseen conditions since its inception.
During the meeting, Justin Lyon, Vice President and Project Executive of Suffolk Construction, stated, “Nothing’s changed from the last presentation,” referring to the previous update on August 14, 2023. He confirmed that the third floor down to the basement of the original 1922 building is scheduled to be ready for use in January 2026, following the Christmas break.
Project Overview and Timeline
The Lowell High School project, which commenced following its approval in 2016, is divided into four phases. The first two phases involved new construction and have been completed, including the opening of the Riddick Athletic Center, a five-story Freshman Academy, and a three-story addition that connects various parts of the school. However, the more complex renovation of the older buildings from the 1980s, 1922, and 1892 has led to significant cost overruns and delays.
Originally budgeted at approximately $382 million, the project now faces an additional burden of at least $40 million in unforeseen expenses. Lyon explained that numerous unforeseen conditions have arisen, especially concerning mechanical coordination and structural issues.
Challenges Faced and Increased Costs
Among the unexpected complications was the reconfiguration of plumbing plans at the newly constructed Riddick Athletic Center, which was designed without proper consideration for its operational areas. The facility features a 3,000-seat gym that includes only two toilets for each gender at the main entryway, raising concerns about accessibility and functionality.
In 2023, a meeting revealed that the architectural firm Perkins Eastman had not properly scaled plumbing codes for the facility, leading to additional costs for retrofitting. Furthermore, during early construction phases, asbestos was discovered in unexpected locations, such as in the Cyrus W. Irish Auditorium. The discovery of this material has delayed its reopening from June 2025 to early 2026 and incurred costs exceeding $400,000, which have further depleted the construction contingency fund.
The contingency fund, initially set at $21.2 million, has been nearly exhausted and has now been “replenished” to around $35 million. This fund is essential for covering change orders arising from unplanned construction needs.
In addition to unforeseen conditions, issues related to subcontractor performance have also arisen. Member John Leahy, Deputy Facilities Director for the Lowell Public Schools, highlighted problems with unfinished work, including unpainted sections and poor flooring installation. “We have to redo certain things,” he noted, indicating that crews would be working on weekends to address these issues.
In a related discussion, Lowell High School student representative Kendrick Del Orbe inquired about the correction of improperly installed gas stoves in the culinary arts classrooms and faulty stair treads in the gym. Project Manager Jim Dowd confirmed these errors were caused by subcontractor oversight and assured the committee that any additional costs would not fall on the city.
Del Orbe expressed his commitment to the project, stating, “It’s important to me and my fellow committee members this project gets built as intended.” He has been actively involved in monitoring the project over the past two years while studying urban planning at Westfield State University.
A notable recent addition to the completed project is the ornamental fence along Arcand Drive, which enhances security and reflects Lowell’s canal system while providing a space for students to gather.
As the project moves forward, the School Building Committee will continue to monitor progress closely, addressing challenges as they arise to ensure the timely and effective completion of the revamped Lowell High School.
