Summer Construction Kicks Off at Elmwood Park CUSD 401
On May 21st, Elmwood Park Community Unit School District 401 held back-to-back groundbreaking ceremonies commemorating the start of two significant projects beginning construction this summer within the District:
ELMWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The first ceremony was held at Elmwood Elementary School where ICI will work with the District to bring their 100-year-old building up to a present-day learning environment. Over the course of the six months, a 5,000 square foot expansion will be added onto the southern edge of the building to house a kitchen and dining space. The space offers flexibility; it will connect to the existing gymnasium and can be used as a multi-purpose room or public community space. The District will also add four classrooms to address a growing student population.
ELMWOOD PARK HIGH SCHOOL
The second groundbreaking ceremony was held at Elmwood Park High School where members of the School Board and Administration celebrated the beginning of construction on a 16,000 square foot addition that will house 6 new science labs, a lecture seating area as well as collaboration space. The new labs will allow the District to expand upon their current science curriculum; ultimately better preparing students for college. The expansion will be placed along the front elevation of the building for two reasons: it will allow the school to develop a more secure entry point and it will allow the school to re-purpose several existing science labs into a collaborative learning space. Lastly, ICI will replace the entire building’s windows and complete interior renovations within several areas of the building to improve mechanical function.
