NEWS INFORMATION FROM |
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THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED |
FOR IMMEDIATE USE |
DOWNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RENOVATED, DOUBLED IN SIZE; ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD BEING TRANSFORMEDHarrisburg, PA—Mayor Stephen R. Reed and Harrisburg School District officials today dedicated a completely refurbished Downey Elementary School at 1313 Monroe Street which has been more than doubled in size and will house the most advanced learning technology and facilities and includes a new health clinic. Reed said the school remodeling effort was first begun in July of 2003, and involved the complete renovation of the existing 45,230 sq. ft. school, as well as the construction of 49,190 sq. ft. of new classroom and other school administrative space, for a total project involving 92,420 sq. ft. Renovation work included the installation of new mechanical and electrical systems, new windows, finishes and furnishings. It also included redoing and upgrading eight Early Childhood Program classrooms, two classrooms for Kindergarten, the cafeteria/kitchen area, music and art classrooms, and administrative offices. New construction involved the addition of an in-school health clinic, a new gymnasium, library, computer lab, science room, several group rooms, and seven new classrooms on two floors. Additional amenities include new parking facilities, student drop-off and pick-up areas, two new playgrounds and recreational equipment, and a new telecommunications, intercom and cable Internet network. The Mayor said the $8.8 million project was overseen by Alexander Building Construction, LLC. of Harrisburg, and was designed by Bink Architectural Partnership. Asbestos abatement was provided by American Abatement Group, Inc. ECI Construction, Inc. served as general contractor for the extensive project, with masonry work performed by John E. Keener, Inc., electrical work by Shannon Smith, HVAC and plumbing work by W.G. Tomko, Inc. and telecommunications installations done by Pennsylvania Networks. New fire safety and suppression systems were installed by Majek Fire Protection, Inc. Reed said the result of the improvement effort is a magnificent new educational facility that provides our youngest citizens with an environment that is very conducive to learning: “Downey Elementary School is now fit to serve the educational needs of its students in a 21st Century manner,” said the Mayor. Reed said the school building work is part of a general transformation of the entire “Sibletown” neighborhood, where a separate $7 million is being expended to completely upgrade homes in the M.W. Smith Housing Complex, a project that has included major new amenities such as plazas, brick entranceways, the addition of porches and placement of fencing. The housing work is being done by the Harrisburg Housing Authority. The neighborhood housing work will be accelerated in the next twelve months by another $14 million for upgrading 150 homes in the William Howard Day Complex, where the same improvements and new amenities will be added. “With the school upgrade and expansion and the housing renewal work, a new neighborhood is literally being created,” Reed said. The Mayor said Downey’s renovations and enhancements are part of the overall plan to revitalize every city school facility, therein providing a safe, clean and state-of-the-art environment that promotes learning and academic excellence. Five city schools have now been completed under the Mayor’s plan, and work on the main campus of Harrisburg High School, the largest facility included in the overall restoration effort, has now begun. Already completed, in addition to Downey, are the Lincoln, Marshall and Melrose Elementary Schools, and the newly-opened Harrisburg University Science and Technology High School (SciTech High). Work is continuing at the Foose, Ben Franklin and Camp Curtin Elementary Schools, and John Harris High School, with renovations at William Penn, Woodward and Riverside schools slated for during the period of 2005–2008. XXX |
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