An Alpharetta architectural firm was chosen Monday night to design the new Fair Street International Baccalaureate World School.

The Gainesville City Schools Board of Education voted to select Robinson Loia Roof over H. Lloyd Hill Architects & Associates of Gainesville.

The firm’s work is expected to begin in earnest, as the school system would like to begin Fair Street’s $19 million reconstruction this fall.

Robinson Loia Roof’s contract calls for it to be paid a fee equal to 5 to 6 percent of the total project cost, Superintendent Merrianne Dyer said.

School officials are ready to proceed on the project, as voters on March 15 approved extending the special purpose local option sales tax for schools for five years. The new Fair Street is the city’s SPLOST centerpiece project.

The school was built in 1937 and has numerous structural concerns, including a leaky roof and sinking subfloor.

Crews will raze and rebuild the school on the same site. In the meantime, portions of Woods Mill Academy would be used for Fair Street students.

The school has a “ ‘Farewell to Fair Street Party’ in the making,” assistant principal Kim C. Davis said.

The event will take place in June, with details still being worked out.

“It will be a last chance for folks to come and tour the building (and) take pictures,” Davis said.

Also, on July 23, as part of Gainesville High School’s Class of 1991 reunion this summer, Davis plans to take the former students on a tour of the building.