CAMDEN — Oak Point Associates, the architectural firm contracted to create Camden-Rockport Middle School renovation and construction plans, will present four separate options at a March 20 public forum in the CRMS cafeteria. Integral to the process will be public feedback: How attached is the public to the Mary E. Taylor building?

The forum, scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m., follows two previous gatherings that the Camden-Rockport Middle School School Board (School Administrative District 28) have held to talk about the future of the middle school campus, on Knowlton Street in Camden.

The board has been talking about the future of the physical buildings for the last decade, but now has renovation and/or demolition plans in hand. Architects with Oak Point Associates will be there to talk about the proposals.

Read more about the proposals: What to do with Camden-Rockport Middle School: Tear down, renovate, rebuild?

Read about the Jan. 29 forum:  Camden-Rockport Middle School concepts floated: ‘Everything in pencil’

Topics under discussion March 20 will include:

A building history and current status of the middle school;

Reasons why renovation plans are being pursued at this time;

What design options are being considered; and,

Relative costs associated with each plan.

Child care will be available at the forum.

“People have been asking how much it would cost and how we are going to pay for it,” said SAD 28 Superintendent Elaine Nutter. “We are going to be sharing preliminary estimates on what different proposals would look like. They would also be able to see what it would cost to renovate the building as it currently is. And we’ll look at the comparisons of renovation verses new construction.”

Nutter said preliminary information will be presented as to how the costs would be spread out over time and the effect it would have on taxpayers. She said it would be the first public look at estimations that the school board and finance committee will be looking at for the next few months.

There are four options to be discussed, along with the associated costs of each option.

One would be just a renovation of the existing school and the other three look at new construction options on the current grounds that may or may not include the MET building.

“One question that we would like to see asked is how much sentimental attachment people have to the Mary E. Taylor building,” said Nutter. “That is an area that we would really like public feedback on in terms of what are they’re thoughts on that building and should it be retained. If it’s retained does it limit other options, so we’re really looking for the public to let us know what should happen to that building? Renovation costs could substantially alter someone’s opinion of the building.”

Nutter said the facilities committee will discuss why now is the time to consider renovations.

“Oak Point has taken a top-to-bottom look,” said Nutter. “From cracking foundations to the heating system, everything from bricks to mechanical services. Even though the inside classrooms have been maintained, there are portions of the outside of the building that are in poor-to-fair condition.”

The school board encourages the public to attend, ask questions and comment on the plans.