Briefing: Financial Assistance for Public School Construction in Pennsylvania
Back to Articles This briefing provides an overview of the current status of financial assistance for public school construction in Pennsylvania, including key programs, funding allocations, eligibility requirements, and strategic recommendations. Current Status The traditional PlanCon reimbursement program has been discontinued. A moratorium has been in place since 2012, and Act 34 of 2023 replaced […]
Designing for Champions: How Athletic Facilities Shape Success
At WMF, we believe athletic facilities are more than just places to exercise: they are catalysts for school pride, recruitment, and community engagement. From collegiate recreation centers, to K-12 multipurpose sports complexes, and even professional training facilities, our projects are designed to foster wellness, competition, and connection. Collegiate Recruitment Through Athletics For colleges and […]
Designing for Safety: Practical Approaches to Secure Learning Environments
Bethel Park High School Cafeteria Across the nation, schools are balancing the need for open, welcoming environments with the reality of evolving safety threats. While large-scale security upgrades and legislative mandates often make headlines, many proven strategies can be implemented immediately and at modest cost. In 2025, trends in school safety emphasize layered protection—combining […]
Embracing Landscaped Cooling Corridors: A Sustainable Vision for Suburbia
Anthem Community Park City of Broomfield + Pulte Homes As our suburban environments face increasing challenges from urban heat island effects and climate change, the integration of sustainable design solutions becomes a necessity rather than an option. For suburban communities, especially those in rapid expansion, the introduction of landscaped cooling corridors alongside shade structures […]
Why Developers Are Turning to Adaptive Reuse: The Economic Alternative to New Construction
In today’s rapidly evolving market, commercial developers face critical decisions about how to best utilize land and resources. Adaptive reuse—the process of repurposing existing buildings for new uses—has emerged as a compelling alternative to new construction. For over 50 years, WMF has worked with our clients to help them realize the benefits of adaptive reuse […]
Funding a Public School Project in 2025
Peters Township High School The Evolving Landscape of Facility Reimbursement As we enter 2025, the future of state funding for school construction projects remains uncertain. While new funding programs are under consideration, they are often delayed by legislative and budgetary challenges. Many states are grappling with the financial burden of past commitments, prioritizing backlog […]
Solving the Increasing Financial Challenges Facing C&U Institutions
Pre-COVID Facility Budget Concerns It’s no secret that colleges and universities were challenged, prior to COVID-19, to formulate a plan to address increasing pressures to balance revenues and expenses during the next 5 to 10-year period (Inside Higher Ed, 2020). The data and trends prior to COVID-19 indicated that many institutions were either already or preparing […]
Facility Strategies for Heightened Pathogen Awareness
Life in classrooms across the county has been disrupted by COVID-19. This has introduced the need for educational institutions to protect students and staff from potential environmental pathogens. There will undoubtedly be treatments and vaccines for the current COVID strains, but the awareness of the potential dangers of novel viruses, bacteria, and molds is likely […]
Sharing Strategies: Re-Entering the Workplace in an Ever-Changing Dynamic Situation
The workplace is adapting and evolving based on the recent COVID-19 pandemic and forcing us to re-think how we continue doing business in a safe and effective way. As a business with three office locations throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania we are used to working remotely – both physically having multiple office locations and with our […]
