Boston Public Facilities Commission Approves $9 Million in School Construction Contract Amendments

BOSTON — July 22, 2026 — Boston Public Facilities Commission unanimously approved more than $9 million in contract amendments for two school construction projects at its July 22 meeting. Chair Catherine Craven presided over three votes: a $688,608 increase to PMA Consultants LLC's owner's project manager contract for the Boston Arts Academy at 174 Ipswich Street, driven by 388 days of delays caused by contaminated soils including asbestos, lead, underground tanks, and petroleum products; a $2,180,267 increase to Hill International's OPM contract for the new William E. Carter School at 396 Northampton Street in the South End; and a $6,857,000 increase to Perkins and Will Architects' design services contract for the same project. Senior Project Manager James McAffigan noted that the $68.4 million Carter School replacement requires licensing agreements with the MBTA because of the building's proximity to active transit tracks. The MSBA board is expected to vote August 25 on the project's final budget and grant offer, a threshold the city must clear before design work advances.