THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2021 Page 3 Architect selection process underway for new high school By Adam Swift L ocal and state offi cials are narrowing the fi eld for a designer for the new Revere High School. The fi - nal selection for a designer could be made soon after a Feb. 2 interview date, according to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Dianne Kelly. Kelly, School Committee Member Stacey Rizzo and Mayor Brian Arrigo represented the City of Revere at a meeting with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) about the design selection process on Tuesday. “It was an interesting process, and we were able to reduce the fi eld from eight to four,” team on Feb. 2, which is really exciting. We should leave that meeting with a designer in mind, and then shortly thereafter be able to negotiate a contract and really get moving on the schematic design phase of the new building project.” Kelly did caution that the design selection process is not entirely in the hands of the representatives from Revere. “On the design selection team, there are 13 members from the MSBA and three members from Dr. DIANNE KELLY Supt. of Schools said Kelly. “We will be conducting interviews with the MSBA the local district,” she said. “The vote is not entirely ours to make; the ultimate decision is made in concert with the local district and the MSBA.” License Commission gets update on delayed Broadway eatery By Adam Swift T he License Commission is satisfied that the proposed Lazy Crab restaurant at 733 Broadway is taking steps to open in the near future. The commission held a hearing into the status of the restaurant’s liquor license, which was issued nearly two years ago, at Wednesday’s meeting. Since the last time the restaurant appeared before the commission, the owners have applied for a building permit and are making signifi cant progress toward opening, said local attorney Joseph Cattoggio. “They have corresponded primarily with Paul Cheever of the fire department about seating capacity and the specifi cations for the stoves in the kitchen,” Cattoggio said. “The correspondence began as early as January of last year and continued through March on fi nalizing the hood specifi cations and seating capacity.” Correspondence picked up again in July concerning the fi - nalized fl oor plans for the restaurant, and a building permit was issued by the City of Revere at the end of December after some renovations were made at the request of city offi cials. Cattoggio said the owners recently completed the installation of a new walk-in refrigerator and have continued to perform upgrades through a change in contractors. “But the main issue has been the Covid lockdown and trying to open a restaurant in a time when restaurants are not really operating anywhere near full capacity,” said Cattoggio. License Commissioner Daniel Occena said he is happy to hear that there had been progress made toward opening the restaurant, and he requested an update to the commission in six months. “I do understand, with the things going on now, how things are backed up,” said License Commissioner Linda Guinasso. “But what I would like to see is something going forward in the next few months. I think it has been almost two years since you got the license. I do see you trying and I feel comfortable with that.” Commission Chairman Robert Selevitch said he is also satisfied with the update from Cattoggio. “I just wanted to be sure something was happening and it wasn’t a pocket license, as sometimes people try to do,” Selevitch said. The superintendent said the Revere team had hoped it would have had a stronger voice during Tuesday’s meeting with the MSBA. “But we still feel confi dent that we are going to fi nd a designer who is going to serve the best interests of the city and the school district,” said Kelly. School Committee Member Frederick Sanella expressed concerns that the architectural fi rm involved in the most recent Revere school building projects could be selected. While he did not name the fi rm, he asked if they were on the fi nalists list. DRA Associates has worked as the architect on many of the recent Revere school projects. “They are on the interview list,” said Kelly. The MSBA gave initial approval to the new high school building project at the end of 2018, giving school and City offi cials news it had waited to hear for nearly three years at that point. When the MSBA approval was fi rst announced, Arrigo stated the entire design and construction process could take from six to eight years. The current Revere High School will likely be at least a half-century old before a new school opens. The building at 101 School St. opened in September 1974, and while functional, a building that predates the height of disco music has lagged behind the new high schools built in surrounding communities that have a more decided 21st -century focus. Lawrence A. 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