Construction boom around D-11 this summer

A construction boom is under way in Colorado Springs School District 11 this summer, fueled by the closure and consolidation of schools, along with the usual summer maintenance and renovations.

The list of work includes some of the last big 2004 bond projects along with renovations and additions that are being made because of school closures.

D-11 facilities director Mike Maloney said the recently added projects are being started as soon as they can be designed and put out to bid. Most projects should be completed when school starts in August, although classroom additions at Jackson and Howbert elementary schools, now in the final design stage, won't be finished until December, he said.

Demolition work is nearly complete at a former city community center adjacent to West Middle School. The West Center for Intergenerational Learning moved its operations in late May to the former Buena Vista Elementary School building. D-11 closed Buena Vista and transferred the title to the city in a deal to get the space adjacent to West.

The former community center and western portion of West will house elementary students who previously attended Washington, Whittier and Buena Vista elementary schools. Middle school students will be housed in the eastern side of the building.

Construction should begin next week to create kindergarten classrooms and elementary school offices in the community center building, Maloney said. The work at West should be completed before school starts, Maloney said.

Here's a timetable for some of the other larger projects:

• Work at King, Rudy and Steele elementary schools to convert open-concept classrooms to regular classrooms that are quieter and more secure is on schedule. These were projects included in the 2004 bond that voters approved. The schools closed a bit earlier than others in the district so would could begin and be finished in August.

• Fire alarm systems are being updated at Chipeta and Martinez elementary schools.

• New boilers and heating systems are being installed at Taylor and Queen Palmer elementary schools; a chiller is being replaced at Chipeta.

• Installation of new windows at Madison Elementary is expected to begin next week.

• A major sanitary sewer repair and replacement project is under way at Mitchell High School.

• Installation is nearly complete for new tennis courts at Palmer High School.

• Renovations are in final design for changes at Whittier to accommodate The Bijou School, an alternative high school, and at Jefferson to accommodate adult education day care facilities.

• Portables will be relocated in July to Howbert, Freedom and McAuliffe elementary schools.

• Plans are under way to move some playground equipment from Ivywild, Whittier and Pike to West and Hunt.

• Work should begin in July at the Swigert Aerospace Academy, formerly Emerson-Edison Middle School. The Edison Co., which has run the charter school for several years, will turn the building back to D-11 on June 22.

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Call the writer at 636-0251.