District unveils design and budget estimate for Family Engagement and Resource Center at Bridgeview Academy
October 24, 2025 | Allentown City SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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Architects and district leaders presented a design concept and preliminary budget for a Family Engagement and Resource Center to be located at Bridgeview Academy during the Board's Oct. 23 meeting.
The DI Group and Barry Isett (engineering) described a 13,000-square-foot addition on the Union Street side of Bridgeview Academy. The building would create a single, central location for student registration and enrollment, a modest health and mental-health suite, workforce-development classrooms, and a flexible multipurpose room with divisible partitions for community meetings and training. The architects emphasized separate public circulation and an entrance so family resource functions can operate independently of the school building.
The administration said the project aligns with the district's strategic priority to empower families and enhance community partnerships; they said the scope reflects grant conditions, partnership commitments and the need to centralize services currently handled across multiple locations.
Project schedule and budget: the team said the project was in a public bid period and that early estimates place total project cost around $12 million, inclusive of site work and stormwater controls. Bids were expected in early November and, if approved, the district targeted substantial completion in December 2026. The presentation included renderings, floor plans and an animated walk-through to illustrate circulation and program adjacencies.
Funding and partners: administrators said partial funding was sought from a state program (PBDA-related grant) and that the district planned to pursue additional grants and fundraising; they also thanked several state legislators who assisted with grant-seeking. Dr. Brooks noted the district had not yet selected an official health-provider partner for the suite and said any partnership would return for board approval.
Ending: The board received the presentation and staff said they would return with procurement and funding details for board action once bid results and grant confirmations are available.
The DI Group and Barry Isett (engineering) described a 13,000-square-foot addition on the Union Street side of Bridgeview Academy. The building would create a single, central location for student registration and enrollment, a modest health and mental-health suite, workforce-development classrooms, and a flexible multipurpose room with divisible partitions for community meetings and training. The architects emphasized separate public circulation and an entrance so family resource functions can operate independently of the school building.
The administration said the project aligns with the district's strategic priority to empower families and enhance community partnerships; they said the scope reflects grant conditions, partnership commitments and the need to centralize services currently handled across multiple locations.
Project schedule and budget: the team said the project was in a public bid period and that early estimates place total project cost around $12 million, inclusive of site work and stormwater controls. Bids were expected in early November and, if approved, the district targeted substantial completion in December 2026. The presentation included renderings, floor plans and an animated walk-through to illustrate circulation and program adjacencies.
Funding and partners: administrators said partial funding was sought from a state program (PBDA-related grant) and that the district planned to pursue additional grants and fundraising; they also thanked several state legislators who assisted with grant-seeking. Dr. Brooks noted the district had not yet selected an official health-provider partner for the suite and said any partnership would return for board approval.
Ending: The board received the presentation and staff said they would return with procurement and funding details for board action once bid results and grant confirmations are available.
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