Introduction

The Shaker Heights City School District is pleased to provide updates on the latest developments with the Ludlow and Woodbury renovation projects as a part of the District’s Long-Term Master Facilities Plan. The District's commitment to enhancing the educational environment for students continues to drive these efforts.

Activating the Long-Term Master Facilities Plan has been well underway. Below are opportunities for engagement. If you have a question or comment on the facilities plan, please fill out this form. Share this newsletter with friends and neighbors in Shaker Heights! Subscribe to the facilities newsletter.

In this Message

• Architects Present Schematic Design Drawings to Architectural Board of Review
• Board’s February Work Session Will Focus on Facilities Master Plan 2025 Activities

Architects Present Schematic Design Drawings to City’s Architectural Board of Review (ABR)

On Tuesday, February 18, Woodbury project architects from GPD presented the Woodbury Campus Schematic Design (SD) drawings to the City’s Architectural Board of Review (ABR).

The session started with a review of the site conditions, constraints and topography. Illustrations of the changing slope of the site were used to explain how the new building was positioned on the site; the building’s massing (height and design of the exterior of the building) was determined; and how the project’s proximity to Doan Brook and its Riparian Protection Zone (RPZ) and mature trees influenced the path of sidewalks and location of parking areas.

Most of the hour-long session was spent reviewing the elevations of each side of the new building. The architects explained the selection of brick size, color and patterns as well as the proportion and setback of the new building from Woodbury Road. The ABR members encouraged the architects to continue developing the elevations with the feedback provided. And, one member acknowledged that “the uniqueness of architecture in Shaker lies in the detail.”

Note: The architects have been working diligently on making design updates in advance of the February 27 monthly joint work session with selected members from the City’s Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals. An updated design will be presented at the Board of Education’s Work Session on February 25.

Board’s February 25 Work Session Will Focus on Master Facilities Plan 2025 Activities

The Board’s upcoming work session will be dedicated to reviewing the activities and schedule of the Long-Term Master Facilities Plan. As the District moves into the second year of the Plan’s implementation, the Board will review the designs for the new Woodbury campus building, receive an update on the Ludlow Early Learning Center, and will discuss the strategy for launching the design work for the K-5 buildings.

The integration of the District’s Sustainability Plan documents (Basis of Design [BOD] and Owner’s Project Requirements [OPR]) will be central to informing the timing of the K-5 renovation projects. An update on the Fernway addition also will be presented. Year two of the implementation of this long-term plan is bringing clarity and focus to these important investments in District facilities. The public is encouraged to attend the work session or log in online.