December Construction Update

District #7 Architect Alex Metzger provides an update on projects across the district that are associated with the 2023 Bond. 
Visit the 2023 Bond Construction Update page for previous updates and additional photos and renderings. 
 

LINCOLN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Construction at Lincoln Middle School continues to be on schedule and under budget. The addition’s structure and exterior materials went out to bid early December and were approved by the Board of Education during the December monthly meeting. As stated by the Construction Manager, Kerry Lorts with SM Wilson Co, the work bid to date is nearly $2 million lower than the preconstruction estimates.  

Design-wise, District #7 District Architect Alex Metzger stated that the addition's interior is almost complete. New interior renderings were shared at a design presentation to the Board of Education during its December monthly meeting by Damien Schlitt of BLDD Architects. The interior will use durable materials while maintaining a playful and engaging space to encourage learning through strategic color and graphic placements. This package is expected to go to bid in late January and will complete the bid packages for the addition. Once this package is complete the design team will refocus design efforts on the renovation of the existing building. The community will begin to see the addition take shape this spring. 

Additionally at Lincoln, work on the front entrance will begin after school lets out for the year and by the start of 2024-25 school year a new handicap accessible entrance, secure entry vestibule, and new bus drop-off / pick-up will be ready. The new entrance will also house the administrative and nurse suite, although that will not be complete until late December 2024.  

MIDWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 
The district’s plan for addressing water and drainage issues at Midway is complete through the partnership of our construction manager, Holland Construction Services. The work began in early November with the installation of a construction fence. In the weeks that followed, a perimeter foundation drain tile around the classroom wing and a shallow detention basin were installed, with the field being regraded and sodded to allow positive drainage away from the building and into the detention basin. The construction fence will remain until the spring to allow the sod to take root. Students will be able to use the sodded area in the spring.  

Throughout 2024 and 2025, officials will see how it performs in mitigating the water infiltration within the building, but they are hopeful that this is all that is required.  

They also continue to monitor any settlement and, thus far, have found no further issues.  

EHS COMMONS 
This 8,000-square foot expansion project will begin in the summer of 2024 in partnership with our construction manager, Holland Construction Services, beginning with exterior work and erection of the expansion’s structure and facade. Focusing on the expansion first will allow for the existing commons to remain serviceable during the 2024-2025 school year. During the summer of 2025, the construction connection and interior renovation is scheduled as to once again, not impact the school year. The project is expected to be out for bid early January with Board of Education approval in February. The renovated and expanded commons will be open for use starting the 2025-2026 school year. 

SECURE ENTRIES 
Metzger said that although there is nothing new to report with this, work continues with hardware and locksmith companies.  

At least eight schools are scheduled to be completed by the start of the 2024-25 school year, including Liberty, Cassens, Goshen, Midway and Worden, which all already have double entry doors, and EHS, Leclaire, and Woodland.