Shawmut Design and Construction breaks
ground on new $326 million Pawtucket High School

Pawtucket, RI Shawmut Design and Construction, a leading $2 billion national construction management firm, joined elected officials, community leaders, and students to break ground on the new Pawtucket High School, a $326 million, 375,000 s/f learning complex on the historic site of the former McCoy Stadium.

Developed in collaboration with the City of Pawtucket, the Rhode Island Department of Education, and Pawtucket School Department, the project represents the single largest school project in Rhode Island’s history. Once completed, the new campus will serve approximately 2,100 high school students, delivering cutting-edge academic facilities and community-focused spaces designed to meet the evolving needs of 21st-century learners.

“As we start construction on the new Pawtucket High School, we do so with deep respect for the history of this site and a shared commitment to what lies ahead,” said Chris Maury, head of preconstruction, New England Region / head of Rhode Island operations at Shawmut Design and Construction. “McCoy Stadium has been a beloved part of this community for generations, and we recognize how much it has meant to so many. This next chapter builds on that legacy—a modern, forward-looking high school that will serve as a vibrant hub of learning and opportunity. We’re honored to help bring this vision to life and to deliver a space that meets the needs of today’s students and the future of Pawtucket.”

Located at 1 Columbus Avenue, the new Pawtucket High School will be built with a focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and flexibility, providing academic spaces that foster collaboration, student engagement, and a deeper connection to the local community. The design will feature modern classrooms, science and technology labs, arts and music spaces, and robust athletic and wellness facilities.

In addition to Shawmut, the project team includes Colliers Project Leaders as the owner’s project manager and Jonathan Levi Architects as lead architect. Construction is now underway, with project completion anticipated in December 2028.

The groundbreaking ceremony Thursday brought together state and local leaders including the governor, mayor, House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi, Rhode Island Commissioner of Education Angelica Infante-Green, Acting Superintendent Randy Buck, School Committee members, and student representatives.

“McCoy Stadium holds a special place in the hearts of so many, filled with cherished memories,” said Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien. “Today, we break ground on a state-of-the-art new high school that invests in our students, our families, and our entire community. This project will provide transformative opportunities for generations of Pawtucket Schools students to come.”

Governor Dan McKee expressed a commitment to partnering with local communities on high-quality learning environments that foster innovation and support student success.

“Together with other state-supported projects—like the new soccer stadium, train station, and housing developments such as Dexter Street Commons—this new school represents a vital investment in Pawtucket’s future: its people, its neighborhoods, and our local economy,” he said.