Finegold Alexander Architects celebrates beam signing for The Community Group’s new educational facility

Lawrence, MA Finegold Alexander Architects celebrated a major project milestone – the erection of the structural steel framing for The Community Group’s new educational facility – during the beam signing ceremony. Finegold Alexander principals Regan Shields Ives, Christopher Lane, and Tony Hsaio attended alongside senior associate Mary McCarthy and Clara Castro. 

Speakers included TCG CEO Maria Gonzalez Moeller, QPD principal Lindsay Richard, Regan Shields Ives, W.T. Rich project executive Steve Taylor, and senior director of strategic projects Lauren Kushman, each emphasizing the important project milestone. TCG board members and leadership team were also in attendance to celebrate, along with representatives from W.T. Rich, the project construction manager. 

Construction began in July on the new 53,000 s/f educational facility which will house Community Kids Place and will unify three upper school campuses of Community Day Charter Public School under one roof. The building will serve the community through after-school programs, athletics, and youth summer activities. Located on a beautiful former farm site, the facility will include instructional space, offices, gymnasium, cafeteria, playing fields and outdoor learning areas for a seamless connection to nature. When complete, The Community Group will have a new facility that supports its mission to foster student success, celebrate diversity, and enrich the learning experience for every child it serves.

“This beam that we’re about to sign represents our shared mission for what this educational facility will offer to our students, our family, and our community,” said Moeller. “It symbolizes growth, opportunity and our continued commitment to providing high quality learning environments to the children and families of Lawrence.” 

“To our building partners and everyone involved in the building design, planning, and construction process, thank you for your hard work, your skills, and your partnerships,”said Moeller. “You have taken an idea that you developed with us and transformed it into a place where students will grow, will learn, and will thrive for years to come.”

“We’ve really enjoyed working so closely with the whole TCG team to bring this project to fruition,” said Regan Shields Ives, Principal and K-12 Studio Leader at Finegold Alexander Architects. “We set out to make this new educational facility one that really reflects the TCG community of children, educators, parents and caregivers; one that is warm, safe, and inviting as well as inspiring.”

The Community Group (TCG) is a private, nonprofit organization creating opportunities through education since 1970. TCG manages a range of programs, including a network of early childhood programs, childcare resources and Community Day Charter Public School, a K- 8 charter school in Lawrence, MA. One of the first charter schools in Massachusetts, Community Day Charter Public School opened in September 1995.

Finegold Alexander has a long history of designing educational spaces, whether it be renovating and transforming existing buildings or new construction, into inspirational and future-forward learning environments. Their impressive portfolio of K-12 projects in New England includes the Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School New Academic Building in Marlborough, MA, Joseph Case Junior High School in Swansea, and the new Gladstone Elementary School in Cranston, Rhode Island.