LAWRENCE, Mass.— Finegold Alexander Architects joined community leaders, project partners, and supporters in Lawrence this week to celebrate a major construction milestone for The Community Group’s (TCG) new 53,000-square-foot educational facility.
The occasion was marked with a traditional beam signing ceremony, symbolizing the project’s progress as structural steel framing rises on the future home of Community Kids Place and three unified upper school campuses of Community Day Charter Public School.
Principals Regan Shields Ives, Christopher Lane, and Tony Hsiao represented Finegold Alexander at the ceremony, along with Senior Associate Mary McCarthy and Clara Castro. They were joined by TCG’s leadership, board members, representatives from W.T. Rich — the project’s construction manager — and key stakeholders from QPD.
TCG Chief Executive Officer Maria Gonzalez Moeller addressed attendees, emphasizing what the milestone means for the community.
“This beam that we’re about to sign represents our shared mission for what this educational facility will offer to our students, our families, and our community,” Gonzalez Moeller said. “It symbolizes growth, opportunity, and our continued commitment to providing high-quality learning environments to the children and families of Lawrence.”
She also thanked the project’s partners, adding, “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.”
Additional remarks were provided by QPD Principal Lindsay Richard, W.T. Rich Project Executive Steve Taylor, Finegold Alexander Principal Regan Shields Ives, and Senior Director of Strategic Projects Lauren Kushman.
Construction began in July on the new facility, located on a scenic former farm site. When completed, the building will include:
- Instructional classrooms
- Office spaces
- Gymnasium
- Cafeteria
- Playing fields
- Outdoor learning areas connected to nature
- Spaces supporting after-school programs, athletics, and summer youth activities
The project consolidates multiple TCG school locations into a single, modern campus designed to support academic success, celebrate diversity, and enhance the educational experience for all students.
“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,” said Shields Ives, who leads Finegold Alexander’s K–12 Studio. “We’ve really enjoyed working so closely with the whole TCG team to bring this project to fruition.”
The Community Group, founded in 1970, operates a network of early education programs, childcare services, and the Community Day Charter Public School — one of Massachusetts’ first charter schools.
Finegold Alexander has an extensive portfolio of K–12 educational design across New England, including the Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School in Marlborough, Joseph Case Junior High School in Swansea, and the new Gladstone Elementary School in Cranston, R.I.
The new Lawrence facility is expected to provide a transformative environment for students and families for generations to come, marking another significant contribution by Finegold Alexander to the region’s educational landscape.
